THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
437 
absent; and the two other systems are much less developed 
than in the workers. In the drones not even the orifices of 
the lower cephalic system could be found.” (Bienenzeitunsr, 
1872. No. 23.) 
Chemical Composition of Malt-sugar , fyc. —Mr. Meldola, 
at the request of Mr. J. Jenner Weir, referred to the chemical 
composition of malt-sugar as compared with sugar in honey. 
It was stated that malt-sugar had the same composition as 
glucose; while honey, in addition to glucose, contained 
cane-sugar or saccharose. Mr. Weir remarked that it was an 
interesting fact that this chemical transformation of malt- 
sugar into a sugar containing a different percentage of carbon 
should take place in the economy of the honey-bee. 
Aculeate Hymenoptera of Japan. — Mr. Smith read 
‘Descriptions of Aculeate Hymenoptera of Japan,’ collected 
by Mr. Geo. Lewis, at Nagasaki and Hiogo. Of seventy- 
three species, forty-nine were previously unknown. He 
remarked that the distinctness of his Apis nigrocincta from 
A. mellifica, recently questioned by Dr. Gerstacker, had been 
abundantly confirmed by the discovery of a queen of A. 
nigrocincta. 
Mimetic Insects. —Mr. F. Smith exhibited some insects 
bearing a most remarkable resemblance to each other, 
although belonging to different orders. Thus, Euglossa 
dimidiata and another Euglossa, a genus of Apidae, bore a 
striking resemblance to two species of the Dipterous family 
Asilidae, namely, Dasyllis haemorrhoa and Mallophora tibialis, 
all from South America. Also, Abispa splendida, one of the 
Vespidae, and an insect of the Dipterous genus Lachites(P), 
both from New Holland. Also, a bee of the genus Megachile, 
and one of the Asilidae, Mallophora calida, JVied ., from 
South America. With regard to the two last-mentioned 
insects, Mr. Smith noticed that the Asilus not only resembled 
the bee in its general appearance, but that also it was 
furnished on the under side of the abdomen with a brush 
similar to the pollen-brush of Megachile, although it was not 
apparent for what purpose the insect required it. The Presi¬ 
dent remarked that when he was at Casa Brucciata, near 
Ancona, he observed several insects of the genus Osmia 
extracting the black pollen from poppies; and on the sandy 
shore he noticed the same insects collecting the sand on their 
ventral brushes. He therefore concluded that the brushes 
