THE GENERAL SUBJECT. 
Ins . 3 
along with an abnormal Attacus pernyi, &c. The remarks on colour-varia- 
tion are of a purely general character. 
Canestrini, R. Alcune osservazioni sulla decapitazione degli Insetti e 
dei Miriapodi. Bull. Soc. Pad. ii. pp. 119-125. ( Cf J. R. Micr. Soc. 
2, iii. pp. 145 & 146.) 
Relates to the effects of decapitation, and the length of time that 
various Insects survived it. 
Ciiatin, J. Sur les noyaux d’origine du stomato-gastrique chez les 
Insectes. Bull. Soc. Philom. (7) vii. pp. 135-138. 
The writer confirms the observations of Blanchard (Ann. Sci. Nat. 3, 
v. [1846] p. 291). The structures in question are more easily examined 
in Hymenoptera than in other Insects. 
Christy, R. M. On the Methodic Habits of Insects when Visiting 
Flowers. J. L. S. xvii. pp. 186-191. ( Cf also Ent. xvi. pp. 
145-150 & 177-181.) . 
A tabulation of the visits of 76 hive-bees, Lepidoptera , and humble-bees to 
2,400 flowers. The Lepidoptera were more constant in their visits to the 
same flower than were those observed by Bennett. The sight nf bees is 
apparently good for short distances only, and they will sometimes visit 
the same flower more than once. Sometimes an insect will visit indis- 
criminately different coloured flowers of the same species. So far as the 
writer’s observations go, humble-bees appear to be more methodic when 
visiting blue flowers than those of other colours. 
Cooke, M. Injurious Insects of the Orchard, Vineyard, Field, Garden, 
Conservatory, Household, Storehouse, Domestic Animals, &c., with 
remedies for extermination. Sacramento : 1883, woodcuts. {Cf. 
Am. Nat. xvii. p. 1291.) 
[Not seen by the Recorder.] 
Dewitz, H. Die Befestigung durch einen klebenden Schleim beim 
Springen gegen seukrechte Flaschen. Zool. Anz. vi. pp. 273 & 274. 
An adhesive secretion is of great importance to leaping insects, and 
other animals, as it prevents them from falling when alighting on a smooth 
or sloping surface. 
Dimmock, G. On some Glands which Open Externally in Insects. 
Psyche, iii. pp. 387-404. 
The odour of the larva of Attacus cecropia is due to a fluid which 
exudes from the tubercles when the brittle hairs upon the latter are 
broken. This is analogous to the stinging apparatus of the larvae of 
various Bombyces, while in those of the P ter ophor idee a fluid exudes from 
the tips of the hairs. The foot glands of Musca , the stings of bees, the 
retractile organs of the larvae of Harpyia and Papilio, and the exudation 
from the joints of the legs of various Coleoptera, are likewise referred to. 
A rather full bibliography of the subject is appended. 
Duchalais, J. Animaux et Insectes nuisibles de la Sologne. Romo- 
rantin : 1883, 8vo, pp. 23. 
