ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
627 
wings in most Lepidoptera, and occurring sporadically. His survey of 
the Pierinm leads him to the conclusion that the Anthocharini represent 
the most generalised forms in the holarctic fauna, and that they are 
probably the survivors, not on the direct line, of a former five-branched 
condition of the family. 
Hew Family of Diptera.* — Dr. Benno Wandolleck has formed the 
family Stethopathid2e to include what he regards as three genera of 
Hies, especially characterised by the absence of both wings and halteres, 
and in one case by the ectoparasitic habit. Of the genera the first, still 
unnamed, has been erected for some specimens discovered by Prof. Cook 
on African snails probably of the genus Achalina. After the author 
had begun the study of these specimens, Prof. Dahl f obtained some 
similar flies from Balum ; these he regarded as links between Diptera 
and Aphaniptcra, and described as male and female of Puliciphora luci- 
fera g. et sp. n. Wandolleck has since obtained Dahl’^ specimens, and 
states that they are not male and female, but both females belonging 
to different genera ; he denies the suggestion of affinity with the fleas, 
rejects Dahl’s description, diagnosis, and name, and places the forms in 
the genera Stethopathus and Chonoceplialus. These two genera together 
with his own constitute the new family Stethopathidae, of which females 
only are known. In them the thorax is greatly reduced, wings and 
halteres absent, and compound eyes feebly developed. Full descriptions 
of the specimens are given. The paper is exceedingly controversial 
in tone. 
Gnats and Malaria.J — Prof. B. Grassi makes a preliminary note of 
much interest as to the probable role of Anopheles claviger , Culex penicil- 
laris, &c., in the dissemination of the germs of malaria. If the thesis bo 
correct, it suggests a practical way of lessening the scourge. 
8. Arachnida. 
Lymphoid Glands of Scorpion.§ — Prof. A. Kowalevsky has made a 
study of two “ lymphoid glands ” (in Scorpio europseus) which are attached 
by their anterior ends to the diaphragm dividing the body into a tho- 
racic and an abdominal cavity immediately behind the coxal glands. 
They are analogous to the median “ lymphatic gland ” which covers the 
nerve-cord, but they show a greater power of absorbing introduced liquids, 
while the latter has a greater avidity for solids. 
New Parasitic Mite.|] — M. Marin Molliard describes, under the name 
of Phytopus aquilina, a parasite found by him on the undersurface of the 
fronds in Pteris aquilina. It is botanically interesting because it modifies 
the shape of the fronds of the fern, and also prevents the development 
of sporanges. The female of the species is figured, but no specific de- 
scription is given. 
African Opilionidse.^f — Dr. J. C. C. Loman gives a complete chro- 
nological list of the Opilionidm already described in Africa, and adds to 
* Zool. Jalirb. (Abth. Syst.), xi. (1898) pp. 412-41 (2 pis.), 
t Zool. Anzeig., No. 543 (1897) pp. 409-12. 
i Atti R. Accad. Lincei (Rend.), vii. (1898) pp. 163-72. 
§ Mem. Ac. Imp. St. Petersbg., v. (1897) p. 18 (2 pis.). 
I| Rev. Gen. de Bot. (Morot), x. (1898) pp. 93-6 (1 fig.). 
Zcol. Jalirb. (Abth. Syst.), xi. (1898) pp. 515-31 (1 pi.) 
