ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
488 
Thrips of the Olive.* * * § — Dr. Gr. del Guercio describes the life-history 
and habits of Phlceothrijps olese (Costa) Targioni, and discusses the most 
effective means of getting rid of the pest. 
Autotomy in the Phasmidse.f — M. Edmond Bordage, in studying 
specimens of Bhaphiderus scabrosm kept in captivity, noticed that during 
the ecdyses the insects had great difficulty in freeing their long legs 
from the old coat ; some 31 per cent, died or were mutilated in the process. 
He believes that the characteristic fusion between femur and trochanter 
was produced in ancestral Phasmids by the mechanical strains involved 
in the process of struggling. The fusion results in the formation of a 
locus minor is resistentiae, where separation of the limb can take place 
without fear of hemorrhage. He believes that a similar explanation is 
applicable to other Arthropods, showing fusion of limb segments. 
Male Reproductive Organs of Beetles. — Dr. L. Bordasf pursues his 
researches on this subject, describing the male reproductive organs of 
Cleridae. As regards the disposition of seminiferous canaliculi, the 
testis in this family is intermediate between that of Melolonthidae and 
Geotrupidae and that of Elateridae and Telephoridae. The more or less 
marked reddish tinge of the whole apparatus is remarkable, and indeed 
unique in beetles. 
He also describes, in another paper, § the macroscopic and minute 
structure of the male reproductive organs of Timarcha , Chrysomela , 
Oreina, Agelastica , and other Chrysomelidae. In fourteen species the 
essential part consists of a series of spermatic ampullae or capsules, 
very variable in form, disposition, number, and dimensions. The 
seminal vesicles tend to be reduced. The accessory glands are some- 
times rudimentary and ovoid (Timarcha), sometimes tubular, cylindrical, 
or flattened (Chrysomela, Oreina), and so forth. Five principal parts are 
described : — testes, vasa deferentia, accessory glands, seminal vesicles, 
and ejaculatory ducts, to which a copulatory apparatus may be added. . 
B. Myriopoda. 
Researches on the Chilopoda.|| — O. Duboscq publishes under this 
title a series of observations on the epidermis, mesenchyme, and con- 
nective tissue of Chilopoda. He finds that the chitin, except at the 
articulations, consists of (1) an external unstainable layer ; (2) a median 
layer which takes up both basic and acid stains ; (3) a very thick internal 
layer which is stratified and stains faintly with acid dyes. The articular 
chitin differs in the absence of the outer layer, and the slight develop- 
ment of (3). As to the sensory cells of the epidermis and the significance 
of the setae, the author finds himself unable to decide whether the sen- 
sory cells are or are not identical with the cells giving rise to the setm, 
but he inclines to the belief that they are. He finds that the nerves of 
the sensory cells are formed by elongated processes of the cells them- 
selves. Apart from the eyes, the setae in the Chilopoda constitute the only 
* Atti Accad. Georgofili, xxii. (1899) 29 pp. (6 figs.). 
f C.R. Hebd. Seances Soc. Biol., v. (1898) pp. 839-42; Trans, in Ann. and 
Mag. Nat. Hist., iii. (1899) pp. 158-62. 
X Ann. Soc. Entomol. France, lxvii. (1898) pp. 622-30 (1 pi.). 
§ Joum. Anat. Physiol., xxxv. (1899) pp. 385-407 (2 pis.). 
![ Arch. Zool. Exper., vi. (1898) pp. 481-650 (7 pis. and 21 figs.). 
