212 
[February, 
-My other observation refers to the delicate subject of monogamy v. polygamy 
among insects. Mr. Butler’s instance is hardly to the point, as his female proved 
sterile, and previous observations — as in the case of Peridea trepida, have shown 
that sterility may be the cause (or consequence) of repeated, and of course imperfect, 
union. But some years ago I had a lot of moths from silkworms ( Pombyx morij 
that the children had been rearing, and it occurred to me to subject them to a series 
ot experiments. The result was that I found that each perfect male mated four, 
five, or even six times in the course of its short life, and the females each four or 
five times, and in all cases, even those of old males mated with recently emerged 
females, the eggs proved fertile. The rule appeared to be that union took place 
before the deposition of each separate batch of eggs. 
1 am fully prepared to admit that the habits of a moth reduced to so abnormal 
a state as to have lost the power of flight by domestication, cannot be held to be 
illustrative of those of species in a natural state, but I also think that such a creature 
possesses only an exaggeration of the habit and capabilities of the species when at 
large, and that there is little danger of female insects in a state of nature remaining 
sterile through the casual circumstance of a diminished proportion of males. — 
Charles G-. Barrett, Pembroke: December Qth, 1880. 
ISotes on Ilgmenoptera near Worcester in 1880 — Notwithstanding that the 
spring came in early and fine, the solitary Aculeata were very few in both species 
and individuals, and continued so throughout the year. Even Pombi and Apathi 
were much scarcer than in 1879; but Vesjya vulgaris, V. germanica, and P. 
sglvestris were about as common as usual. 
1 he galls of some species of Cynipides were commoner than in any year since 
187G ; e. g., Dryophanta folii, D. divisa, and D. longiventris : the last more 
numerous than I ever before witnessed. Galls of Piorhiza rentim, which I vainly 
sought for since 1876, were again found. 
The year seemed to be very favourable to some of the Tenthredinidce. Among 
the species that turned up in the imago state in unusual numbers I may mention 
Tenthredo mesomela, Tenihredopsis nassata, and Taxonus glabralus. Among larvse, 
Hemichroa alni and Croesus septentrionalis were strikingly plentiful on all their food- 
plants. Nematus ribesii, larva and imago, was most abundant. When walking among 
some market gardens at the end of July, I noticed hundreds of gooseberry bushes 
standing bare of leaves, and presenting a most desolate sight.— J. E. Fletcher, 
Happy Land, Worcester: November , 1880. 
Notes from Guatemala. — Since my last notes from San Geronimo, I have twice 
visited the Polochic Valley, working down to the lake of Isabal ; travelled over a great 
deal of the Alta, or northern part of Vera Paz, visiting Cahabon, Lanquin, Rio 
Chicoy, the Poban District, the Sinanja Valley, Scnahu, and nearly to the depart- 
ment of Peten. At the end of July I started for Los Altos and the Pacific slopes, 
travelling from San Gerdnimo, by way of Rabinal, Cubulco, Joyabaj, and Quiche. 
I spent about a fortnight in the mountains of Sotonicajan, working up to nearly 
11,000 ft. : then went to Quezaltenango, and from thence to the Pacific slopes of the 
volcano Zunil and Santa Maria, gradually working lower, till at last I arrived within 
