624 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
subsequently remove it by their legs. He finds that the strength of the 
solution in D. vinula is about 1 * 4 grm. of potassium hydroxide in every 
100 ccm. of liquid. The mesenteron of the same species develops an 
anterior dorsal diverticulum for storage of the alkali during pupal life. 
Scales of Lepidoptera.* — Dr. A. Spuler discusses the structure, 
coloration, and evolution of the scales of Lepidoptera. Throughout 
the whole ortho-neuropterid stem there are the same two kinds of 
structures — spines and scales — on the wings, and the hair-scales of 
Trichoptera correspond to the scales of Lepidoptera. The wing-covering 
in Trichoptera is phyletically the older ; it is closely approached by the 
scales of some Psychidag. There is a gradual series from the less 
differentiated families to the diurnal butterflies with parallel lateral 
margins and deep sinus. Not unfrequently the characters of the scales 
afford hints as to relationship, but they must be taken in connection with 
other characters. An interesting critical discussion of recent researches 
on the colouring of insects is included in the paper. 
Guests of Ants and Termites.j — Herr E. Wasmann describes some 
new Brazilian forms. In his introduction he distinguishes true guests 
( Myrmecoxenen ), tolerated companions ( Synceheten ), hostile intruders 
( Myrmecopliagen ), and parasites ; and he gives some strange cases of 
higher animals found in association with the nests. The guests de- 
scribed belong to the Cicindelidas, Carabidse, and Staphylinidag. Dr. Forel 
adds a note on three new species of Brazilian ants. 
From Wasmann’s abundant results we may cite the following : — 
There is no regular colour-resemblance between any Eciton- guest and its 
host, for the simple ocelli of Eciton appreciate colour but little, if at all. 
When the ecitophilous Staphylinids are compared with their hosts as 
regards form, sculpturing, hairs, and the like, three types are distin- 
guishable. There are mimetic types, indifferent types, and protected 
types ( Schutzdach Typus) ; the last having a covering which is not 
readily gripped. The small guests, approaching the size of the smallest 
workers among their hosts, are most readily mistaken ; the larger guests 
show specialisations of mimicry, e. g. in having similar antennae. Similarity 
of sculjgturing deceives both touch and sight. In short, the peculiarities 
of the guests must be interpreted in the closest correlation with the 
peculiarities of their hosts, viz. more or less blindness, extreme fineness 
of touch, and wild, restless life. 
Notes on Species of Melipona.J — Dr. H. Stadelmann describes three 
new African species, Melipona togoensis and M. africana (belonging to 
the Trigona group), and M. ScJimidti (belonging to the Tetragona group). 
In the nest of the first-named there are twelve horizontal webs, each of 
one layer of cells, and there are spaces, possibly for storage, between 
the webs and the papery sheath of the nest. Another nest showed the 
oval honey-pots, larger than the brood-cells, but homologous with them, 
and containing either honey or pollen. A special tube runs as usual 
from the nest to the external opening. The material out of which the 
nest is built contains 28*66 per cent, of stuff insoluble in chloroform 
* Zool. Jahrb. Abth. Anat., viii. (1895) pp. 520-43 (1 pi.). 
f Verb. K. K Zool.-Bot. Gesellsch. Wien, xlv. (1895) pp. 137-79 (7 figs.). 
X SB. K. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, 1895, 615-23 (3 figs.). 
