see captionFig.126.—Wooden-tube mailing-box:a, tube;b, cover (original.)
Fig.126.—Wooden-tube mailing-box:a, tube;b, cover (original.)
In mailing living specimens the essential thing is a strong box, preferably tin, made as nearly air-tight as possible. I have found it very convenient on long trips to carry with me a number of tin boxes in the flat (Fig. 127), combined in convenient packages, ready to be bent and improvised in the field. For this purpose get any tinsmith to make out of good tin a number of pieces cut of the requisite dimensions both for the bottoms and the covers, carefully cutting the corners to permit the proper bending of the sides. These improvised boxes will prove useful for keeping living larvæ with their food-plants, especially iftied up in stout brown paper to prevent any exit from the unsoldered angles. They will also answer admirably for mailing or otherwise sending specimens to their ultimate destination. In the case of larvæ a quantity of the food-plant should always be inclosed in the box.
see captionFig.127.—Tin mailing-box in the flat:a, box;b, cover (original).
Fig.127.—Tin mailing-box in the flat:a, box;b, cover (original).
In transmitting insects for information the greatest care should be taken to relieve the person of whom information is sought of as much unnecessary work as possible. It is easy for any beginner to collect more in a single day than an experienced entomologist can well mount, study, and determine in a week, and as those who have the means and information to give determinations or otherwise to assist beginners are generally very much occupied, and their time is valuable, they are justified in ignoring miscellaneous collectings where the sender has made no effort to either properly mount or otherwise study and care for his specimens.
see captionFig.128.—Tin mailing-box, bent into shapefor use (original.)
Fig.128.—Tin mailing-box, bent into shapefor use (original.)
Living specimens, especially larvæ, should be packed in tin, with a supply of their appropriate food. The tighter the box the fresher will the food as well as the specimens keep. Insects do not easily suffocate, and it is worse than useless, in the majority of cases, to punch air-holes in such boxes. Dead specimens, when not pinned, may be sent in a variety of ways. Small ones may be dropped into a quill and inclosed in a letter, or a small vial fitted into a piece of bored wood. Those which do not spoil by wetting may be sent in alcohol, provided the bottle is absolutely filled, or, what is better, in sawdust moistenedwith alcohol, or between layers of cotton saturated with alcohol.
The postal regulations permit the sending by mail of “dried insects * * * when properly put up, so as not to injure the persons of those handling the mails, nor soil the mail bags or their contents.” Specimens in alcohol may also be sent by mail, provided that the containing vial be strong enough to resist the shock of handling in the mail, and that it be inclosed in a wooden or papier-maché tube not less than three-sixteenths of an inch thick in the thinnest part, lined with cork or other soft material, and with a screw top so adjusted as to prevent the leakage of the contents in case of breakage. Entomological specimens are of the fourth class of mail matter, the postage on which is 1 cent an ounce or fraction thereof, the limit of weight for a single package being 4 pounds, and the limit as to bulk 18 inches in any direction. Saleable matter is also non-mailable at fourth-class rates; so that the safer method, with small packages, is to send under letter postage. It is far better, however, for long journeys, and especially for transatlantic shipment, to send by express.
In the foregoing pages are given some of the more useful directions for those wishing to commence to collect and study insects. Experience will soon teach many other important facts not mentioned here, and the best closing advice I can give the novice is, to get acquainted, if possible, with some one who has already had large experience. He will be very apt to find such a person pleasant and instructive company whether in the field or in the closet. One important habit, however, I wish to strongly inculcate and emphasize: The collector should never be without his memorandum or note book. More profitless work can scarcely be imagined than collecting natural-history specimens without some specific aim or object. Every observation made should be carefully recorded, and the date of capture, locality, and food-plant should always be attached to the specimens when these are mounted. More extended notes may be made in a field memorandum book carried in the pocket or in larger record books at home. For field memoranda I advise the use of a stylographic pen, as pencil is apt to rub and efface in time by the motions of the body. The larger record book is especially necessary for biologic notes. Notes on adolescent states which it is intended to rear to the imago can not be too carefully made or in too much detail. The relative size, details of ornamentation and structure, dates of moulting or transformation from one state to another—indeed, everything that pertains to the biography of the species—should be noted down, and little or nothing trusted to mere memory where exact data are so essential. Many insects, particularly dragon-flies, have brilliant coloring when fresh from the pupa, which is largely lost afterward. The time of laying and hatchingof eggs, the number from a single female, the character of the eggs, general habits, records of parasites and their mode of attack—all should be entered as observed. A great many species have the most curious life histories, which can not be ascertained except by continued and persevering observation, not only in the vivarium or insectary but in the field. It is almost impossible to follow, under artificial conditions, the full life cycle of many species like the Aphididæ, or the Gall-flies, etc., which involve alternation of generations, dimorphism, heteromorphism, migration from one plant to another, and various other curious departures from the normal mode of development, without careful field study and experiment. These studies are possible only to those who are able to frequent the same localities throughout the whole year, and can hardly be carried on by the traveling naturalist or collector.
The foregoing portions of this manual have dealt almost exclusively with the subject of the securing and preservation of Hexapods, but it is deemed advisable to include brief instructions for the collection and care of the near allies of the true insect, Spiders and Myriapods, the study of which will in most cases be associated with that of Hexapods.
see captionFig.129.—A ground Spider (Oxyopes viridans).(After Comstock.)
Fig.129.—A ground Spider (Oxyopes viridans).(After Comstock.)
Apparatus.—Many of the directions and methods given in the foregoing pages for the collection of Hexapods apply also to the animals named above. Little apparatus is necessary in the collection of spiders and other Arachnids. The essentials are vials containing alcohol, an insect net, a sieve, and forceps. Narrow vials without necks are best for collecting purposes, as the corks can be more quickly inserted. They should be of different sizes, from 1 dram to 4 or 6 drams, and the alcohol used should be at least 50 per cent strong and in some cases it is advisable to use it at a strength of 70 or 80 per cent. The net may be of the same construction as that used to collect insects and is used in the same way. Some arachnologists, however, use a net of a somewhat different make, which is much stronger. The iron ring is heavier and larger than in the case of the insect net, resembling in this respect the ring of the Deyrolle net. The bag is short and the handle is fastened to both sides of the ring. This net is used for beating the leaves of trees, bushes, and grass. Dr. Marx uses a net which is already described and figured under the name of the Umbrella Net (see p.34,Fig. 52). The sieve is the same as that described on p.35,Fig. 54, and is used to sift the spiders from leaves and rubbish, especially during winter. A mass of leaves and other material is thrown into the sieve andthen shaken, the spiders falling through on a piece of white cloth, which is spread under the sieve on the ground. Many hibernating species can be readily secured in this manner. A forceps similar to that described for the collecting of hexapods should be used to capture or pick up specimens, for if handled with the fingers they are apt to be crushed, especially the smaller forms. As soon as the collecting is finished or the vial is filled a label should be placed in this last indicating place and date of collection. Egg sacs and cocoons should be collected in pill boxes and properly labeled, and if possible the adults should be reared. Both sexes should be collected and descriptive notes or drawings made of the webs as found in nature.
see captionFig.130.—An orb-weaver(Argiope argyraspidesWalck):a, male;b, female;candd,enlarged parts.
Fig.130.—An orb-weaver(Argiope argyraspidesWalck):a, male;b, female;candd,enlarged parts.
Time and Locality for Collecting.—The best time to collect spiders is in the early fall, during the months of September and October. The great majority of the species are then mature. Many forms, however, occur in the adult state in late spring and early summer. Numerous species may also be collected during winter, some of these hibernating under stones, the bark of dead trees, etc., and others, more particularly the small forms, under dead leaves and rubbish on the ground in woods. Other species which have hibernated may be found about the earliest flowers in spring. No particular localities can be indicated for the collection of spiders, since they occur in all sorts of places, in wooded or open regions and also in and about dwellings. Many Lycosidæ are found in dry and rocky situations and quite a number in open fields. Thomisidæ may be found on flowers. The Therididæ affect shady places, and many Epeiridæ will be found in similar situations. The Attidæ love the sun and are found very actively engaged in hunting insects on plants and dead leaves. Many species of this family will be found in cases under loose bark in winter. Evergreen trees are also quite good collecting grounds for Attidæ. The Drassidæ are ground spiders and are mostly nocturnal, hiding during the day under leaves and stones; a few forms, however, disport in the hottest sunshine. Some genera are found most frequentlynear water or in damp places, as Dolomedes and Tetragnatha; others in sandy places, as Micaria, Targalia.
Other Arachnids—as mites, ticks, scorpions, daddy longlegs or harvest-men—may be collected in the same way as spiders.
see captionFig.131.—A Harvest-man(Phalangium ventricosum).—From Packard.
Fig.131.—A Harvest-man(Phalangium ventricosum).—From Packard.
The Phalangidæ (Harvest-men) somewhat resemble spiders, and are at once recognized by their extremely long legs. They occur about houses, especially in shady places, under the eaves, etc., and in the woods and fields. They are carnivorous and feed on small insects, especially Aphides. They should be pressed a little when captured to extrude the genital apparatus, if possible, and are best collected in the early fall.
The Phrynidæ are very peculiar looking animals, the anterior legs being very long and slender and the maxillary palpi very large. The genusThelyphonusis not uncommon in the South, and is known by its oblong body, ending usually with a long, slender, many-jointed filament, from which they are called Whip-tailed Scorpions.T. giganteusis the common species. They occur in moist situations, and are carnivorous, feeding on insects and small animals.
see captionFig.132.—False Scorpion(Chelifer cancroidesL.).—From Packard.
Fig.132.—False Scorpion(Chelifer cancroidesL.).—From Packard.
The false scorpions, Chermetidæ, may at once be recognized by their large maxillary palpi, resembling the maxillæ of the true scorpion. They are small insects, rarely exceeding a quarter of an inch in length, and are found in dark shady places and feed upon mites, Psoci, and other small insects. A common species is represented at figure 132.
The true scorpions, Scorpionidæ, are well-known forms, and are easily recognized by their large, powerful, forceps-like maxillæ, and the long slender tail continuous with the thorax and ending with a sting, which is, in most cases, quite poisonous. They are found mostly in the Western and Southwestern States, and are dangerous in proportion to their size. The poisonous nature of the sting of these animals is, however, generally overrated, and the wounds, even of the larger species, are rarely fatal.
The Acarina or true mites are the lowest representatives of the Arachnida and include many genera and species differing very widely in habit and characters. Some of them are mere sacs, on which the mouthparts or other organs are scarcely discernible. In general they resemble spiders. The young, however, when they leave the egg, almost invariably have but three pairs of feet, resembling in this respect the Hexapods. The fourth pair is added in the later stages. They are parasitic on insects and other animals, and some of them are vegetable feeders or live in decaying vegetable and animal matter.
see captionFig.134.—The Cattle-tick.(After Packard.)
Fig.134.—The Cattle-tick.(After Packard.)
see captionFig.133.—A true Scorpion(Buthus carolinianus).—From Packard.
Fig.133.—A true Scorpion(Buthus carolinianus).—From Packard.
A very interesting group is comprised in the family Phytoptidæ or gall-making mites which occur on the leaves of various trees and shrubs and produce curious galls or abnormal growths. These mites are elongate in form, have rudimentary mouth-parts and but four legs. A common form,Phytoptus quadripes, produces a gall on the leaves of the soft maple. The galls of all species should be collected and pinned and also preserved in alcohol, and specimens of the mites should be mounted in balsam.
The members of the genus Sarcoptes are very minute and are the active source of the itch in the lower animals and man. Another common genus is Tyroglyphus, which includes the common cheese mite,T. siro. Other species of this genus also sometimes occur in enormous numbers in grocers' supplies. Still others are parasitic on insects, and one species,T. phylloxeræRiley, is very beneficial, since, as its name indicates, it feeds on the Phylloxera of the grapevine.
The Ixodidæ comprise the ticks which attach themselves to cattle, hogs, and man, and are not at all uncommon objects. These insects can be found on the animals they infest, and distinct species will be found to occur on most wild mammals. The common Cattle tickBoophilus bovisRiley, is represented atFig. 134.
see captionFig.135.—Nothrus ovivorusPackard.
Fig.135.—Nothrus ovivorusPackard.
The family Orobatidæ includes a number of small terrestrial mites, which occur on the moss on trees and stones. Some species are known to feed on the eggs of insects, and the one shown in the accompanying figure,Nothrus ovivorushas been observed, by Dr. Packard to eat the eggs ofthe Canker Worm.
The members of the family Gamasidæ are parasitic upon animals, but chiefly upon insects. The Hydrachnidæ are parasitic also upon the aquatic insects, and also affect fish or mussels or occur on fresh-water plants.
One of the most important families of mites is the Trombidiidiæ which includes a large number of species, some of which occur in immense numbers. Most of them are vegetable feeders, but some species feed on the eggs of insects.
see captionFig.136.—Trombidium locustarum:a, female with her batch of eggs;b, newly hatched larva—natural size indicated by the dot within the circle;c, egg;d e, vacated egg-shells.
Fig.136.—Trombidium locustarum:a, female with her batch of eggs;b, newly hatched larva—natural size indicated by the dot within the circle;c, egg;d e, vacated egg-shells.
The genus Trombidium includes a number of the Red Mites which feed on insects in all their stages. The Locust Mite,Trombidium locustarumRiley, is one of the most interesting as well as one of the most important of our locust enemies, and will serve to illustrate the habits of the group. It differs so much in infancy and maturity that it has been referred to different genera and is known under different names. The mature form lives on the ground and feeds on all sorts of animal or decomposing vegetable matter, and wherever the ground is filled with locust eggs these afford an abundance of food and the mites flourish and multiply rapidly. In the spring the female lays 300 or 400 minute spherical orange-red eggs in the ground (Fig. 136a). From these eggs, as shown enlarged atc,d, ande(the two latter being the vacated egg shells) emerge the six-legged larva shown atb. These are mere specks and crawl actively about, fastening themselves to the locusts mostly at the base of the wings or along the upper veins. They subsist on the juices of their host. They firmly attach themselves by the mouth and increase rapidly in size, the legs not growing and becoming mere rudiments. In this form they are shown atFig. 137a. When fully developed they let go their hold, drop to the ground, and crawl under the shelter afforded by holes in the earth or under sticks. Here, in thecourse of two or three weeks, they transform within the larval skin to the pupal stage shown atb, and eventually break through the old larval skin and escape in the form shown atcandd. This mature form passes the winter in the ground and is active whenever the temperature is a few degrees above the freezing point. A larger speciesT. giganteumRiley, also attacks locusts, while a third species attacks the common House-fly. This was formerly known in the larva state only and was referred to the genus Astoma, to which also the larval form of Trombidium was referred. I have described the adult together with the larva and pupa asTrombidium muscarum. An allied mite,Hydrachna belostomæ, attacks the large aquatic water bug, Belostoma, and has a mode of development precisely similar to that of Trombidium.
see captionFig.137.—Trombidium locustarum.a, mature larva when about to leave the wing of a locust;b, pupa;c, male adult when just from the pupa;d, female—the natural sizes indicated to the right;e, palpal claw and thumb;f, pedal claw;g, one of the barbed hairs;h, the striations on the larval skin.
Fig.137.—Trombidium locustarum.a, mature larva when about to leave the wing of a locust;b, pupa;c, male adult when just from the pupa;d, female—the natural sizes indicated to the right;e, palpal claw and thumb;f, pedal claw;g, one of the barbed hairs;h, the striations on the larval skin.
see captionFig.138.—The Six-spotted Mite of the Orange(Tetranychus 6-maculatus):a, from above—enlarged;b, tarsus;c, rostrum and palpus—still more enlarged;d, tip of palpus—still more enlarged.
Fig.138.—The Six-spotted Mite of the Orange(Tetranychus 6-maculatus):a, from above—enlarged;b, tarsus;c, rostrum and palpus—still more enlarged;d, tip of palpus—still more enlarged.
To this family also belong the common greenhouse mite,Tetranychus telarius, and also the Bryobia mite,B. pratensis, which of late years has attracted very considerable attention by its appearance in immense numbers about dwellings, coming from the adjoining fields of clover or grass. Generically allied to the greenhouse mite is the Six-spotted Mite of the Orange (T. 6-maculatusRiley), which is shown in the accompanying figure.
Spiders and mites thus collected may be transferred to alcohol. Dr. Marx,who has had a very considerable experience in the preservation of spiders, recommends the use of the following mixture: Glycerin and Wickersheim's fluid, 1½ ounces of each, and distilled water 3 ounces, the whole to be shaken and thoroughly mixed and added to 30 ounces of 95 per cent alcohol. Alcohol which has previously been used for preserving spiders, and which has therefore dissolved some of the fatty matters from the specimens, he prefers to pure alcohol, using with this, however, somewhat less of the distilled water. The liquid thus composed answers all demands and keeps the specimens flexible and preserves their coloring. Should the stopper become loose and the liquid evaporate, there is always sufficient liquid, water or glycerine, left in the vial to keep the specimens from drying and thus save them from destruction. Dr. Marx also prefers to use cork stoppers rather than the rubber stoppers recommended for other alcoholic material. His objection to the rubber stopper is that, in a collection in which the specimens are often used and the stoppers are frequently removed, he finds that small particles of the rubber stopper come off and settle upon the specimens as a white dust, which it is difficult to remove. This objection applies only to a poor quality of rubber, and in all other respects the rubber is much to be preferred. The colors of spiders are apt to fade somewhat if exposed to light, and the collection should therefore be kept in closed boxes or in the dark.
Centipedes and Millipedes are collected in the same manner as spiders. They live in damp places, under sticks and stones, and in decaying vegetation. They should be preserved in alcohol, and on account of their usually strong chitinous covering, precautions as to the strength of the alcohol are less necessary here than with softer-bodied specimens.
see captionFig.139.—A Milliped. (Cambula annulata).
Fig.139.—A Milliped. (Cambula annulata).
The members of this subclass comprise a number of well-marked groups. The Iulidæ are cylindrical insects and occur in moist places, as do most of the representatives of this subclass. A common form is represented in the accompanying figure. The Chiliopodæ comprise the flattened forms having many-jointed antennæ and but a single pair of limbs to each segment of the body, and are the forms to which the name centipede may properly be applied. They are predaceous in habit, live largely on living animal matter, and are very quick in their movements. Some forms are poisonous, having poison glands at the base of the first pair of legs, but the majority of the species are entirely harmless. A numberof common species belong to the genus Geophilus and occur under stones and logs. The genus Scolopendra includes some of the larger species of the order. The largest known species,S. gigantea, occurs in the East Indies and attains a length of from 9 inches to more than a foot. Several species found within the limits of the United States attain a length of 5 inches or more. The family Cermatiidæ includes the very common speciesCermatia forceps, which, while abundant in the South and West, occurs somewhat more rarely in the North. It is commonly found in moist situations, in houses or conservatories, and on account of its long legs and agile movements frequently creates considerable consternation. It is, however, an entirely harmless and very beneficial species, since it feeds on various household pests, including flies, roaches, etc.
Bulletin No. 19 of the Division of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture, contains an enumeration of the publishedsynopses, catalogues, and lists of North American insects, together with other information intended to assist the student of American entomology. This can be had upon application, and I would refer the student to it for specific information as to synopses, catalogues, and lists. I have deemed it advisable, however, to include here an enumeration of the more useful works of a general character; a list of the entomological periodicals, both home and foreign; and the entomological works published by the different departments of the Government, with some information as to how and of whom they can be obtained. Many of these publications are no longer to be had except as they may be picked up through book-dealers; but the titles even of those which are out of print will be useful to the student as a guide to what he should find in every good library. Requests for this kind of information are constantly received at the Department of Agriculture and at the National Museum. The most useful general works are given first, and, while a great many others in foreign languages might be cited, I would strongly advise the beginner in America to confine himself to these, and especially to read Harris's Insects Injurious to Vegetation, Kirby & Spence's Introduction, and Westwood's Introduction. This last, though published over half a century ago, is still one of the most useful entomological works in the English language. While these Introductions will be of great service in arranging and classifying material and in giving a knowledge of the relationships of species, there is no better text-book than the great book of nature, which is always ready to unfold its truths to every earnest inquirer. In field and wood alone can he become familiar with the insects in all their wondrous life habits, instincts, and intelligence. There alone will he receive the fullest inspiration and pleasure in his work or find the highest reward for his efforts.
H. C. C. Burmeister.—Handbuch der Entomologie. Berlin, 1832–1855. 5 vols.Manual of Entomology.—A translation of the above, by W. E. Shuckard. London, 1836.J. O. Westwood.—An introduction to the modern classification of insects, founded on the natural habits and corresponding organization of the different families. 2 vols. London, 1839–‘40.Thomas Say.—Complete writings on the Entomology of North America; edited by John L. Le Conte. New York, 1859.H. A. Hagen.—Bibliotheca Entomologica. Die Litteratur über das ganze Gebiet der Entomologie bis zum Jahre 1862. Leipzig, 1862.A. S. Packard.—Guide to the Study of Insects. Henry Holt & Co., Philadelphia and New York. (First edition, Salem, 1869.)—— Entomology for Beginners. Henry Holt & Co., New York, 1888.The Standard Natural History.—Edited by John Sterling Kingsley. S. E. Cassino & Co., Boston, 1884–‘85.Volumeiicontains the insects, which are treated by the following authors:Hymenoptera, J. H. Comstock and L. O. Howard;Coleoptera, George Dimmock;Lepidoptera, H'y Edwards and C. H. Fernald;Diptera, S. W. Williston;Orthoptera, C. V. Riley;Hemiptera, P. R. Uhler;Neuroptera, A. S. Packard;Arachnida, J. H. Emerton.J. H. Comstock.—An Introduction to Entomology. Published by the author. Ithaca, N. Y. 2 parts. Parti, 1888.Alpheus Hyatt and J. M. Arms.—Guides for Science Teaching, No.iii. Insecta. Bos. Soc. Nat. Hist. D. C. Heath & Co., Boston, 1890.
Volumeiicontains the insects, which are treated by the following authors:Hymenoptera, J. H. Comstock and L. O. Howard;Coleoptera, George Dimmock;Lepidoptera, H'y Edwards and C. H. Fernald;Diptera, S. W. Williston;Orthoptera, C. V. Riley;Hemiptera, P. R. Uhler;Neuroptera, A. S. Packard;Arachnida, J. H. Emerton.
HYMENOPTERA.
E. T. Cresson.—Synopsis of the Families and Genera of the Hymenoptera of America, north of Mexico, together with a Catalogue of the described Species and Bibliography. Transactions Am. Entom. Society, Supplementary volume. 2 parts. Philadelphia, 1887.
COLEOPTERA.
John L. Le Conte and George H. Horn.—Classification of the Coleoptera of North America. Prepared for the Smithsonian Institution. Washington, Smithsonian Institution, 1883.This is the most recent and the only complete classification of North American Coleoptera. It contains also Appendixii, a “list of bibliographical references to memoirs, in which more or less complete synopses of the families, genera, and species of the Coleoptera of the United States have been published.”J. T. Lacordaire.—Histoire naturelle des Insectes. Genera des Coléoptères, ou exposé méthodique et critique de tous les genres proposés jusqu'ici dans cet ordre d'insectes. [Completed by J. Chapuis.] Paris, France, 1854–1876. 12 vols, and 1 vol. plates.[10]William Le Baron.—Outlines of Entomology, published in connectionwith the author's Annual Reports upon injurious insects. Part first. Including the Order of Coleoptera. Fourth Annual Report on the Noxious and Beneficial Insects of the State of Illinois. Sep. Edit. Springfield, 1874.
This is the most recent and the only complete classification of North American Coleoptera. It contains also Appendixii, a “list of bibliographical references to memoirs, in which more or less complete synopses of the families, genera, and species of the Coleoptera of the United States have been published.”
LEPIDOPTERA.
G. A. W. Herrich-Schaeffer.—Sammlung neuer oder wenig bekannter
aussereuropäischer Schmetterlinge. Vol.i. Regensburg, 1850–'58; Vol.ii, Pt. 1, 1869.Contains a classification of the Lepidoptera, which forms the basis
of our present arrangement.John G. Morris.—Synopsis of the described Lepidoptera of North America.
Parti. Diurnal and Crepuscular Lepidoptera. Washington, Smithsonian
Institution, 1862.Compiled descriptions of the North American Lepidoptera, from the
Rhopalocera to the Bombycidæ.H. Strecker.—Lepidoptera, Rhopaloceres et Heteroceres, indigenous and
exotic; with descriptions and colored illustrations. Reading, Pa.,
1872–'77.Fifteen parts of this work have been published containing figures
and descriptions of many North American species.John B. Smith.—An Introduction to a Classification of the North
American Lepidoptera. Contains a classification of the Lepidoptera, which forms the basis
of our present arrangement. Compiled descriptions of the North American Lepidoptera, from the
Rhopalocera to the Bombycidæ. Fifteen parts of this work have been published containing figures
and descriptions of many North American species. A synopsis of the families of Lepidoptera based on
Herrich-Schaeffer's classification. This work was completed by Westwood after the death of Doubleday. Gives synopses of the genera and species, and description of the
species. Two volumes are completed and the third is in course of
publication. HEMIPTERA. Herbert Osborn.—Classification of Hemiptera. Short characterization of the whole order, with tables of suborders
and families. A popular treatise on the Homoptera, with illustrations. DIPTERA. H. Loew and C. R. Osten-Sacken.—Monographs of the Diptera of North
America. (Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections.) 4 parts. Washington,
Smithsonian Institution, 1862–'72.The several monographs will be found enumerated under the
respective families.H. Loew.—Diptera Americæ septentrionalis indigena. 2 parts. Berlin,
1861–'72. (Originally published in 10 centuriæ in the Berliner Entomol.
Zeitschrift.)Descriptions of 1,000 North American Diptera, but without synoptic
arrangement.C. R. Osten-Sacken.—Western Diptera: Descriptions of new genera and
species of Diptera from the region west of the Mississippi and
especially from California. The several monographs will be found enumerated under the
respective families. Descriptions of 1,000 North American Diptera, but without synoptic
arrangement. Important contributions to the classification of the Diptera. ORTHOPTERA. Henri deSaussure.—Orthoptera nova Americana (Diagnoses
præliminares). Seriesi–iii. Contains synoptical tables of species, besides descriptions of
numerous North American Orthoptera. Contains synoptical tables and a review of the system used for
classification. Synopsis of families; also list of useful works in the study of
North American Orthoptera. NEUROPTERA. Hermann Hagen.—Synopsis of the Neuroptera of North America, with a list
of the South American species. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections,
Washington, 1861.——Synopsis of the Odonata of America. The introduction gives the full bibliography up to date. MYRIAPODA. Thomas Say.—Descriptions of the Myriapoda of the United States.
This is the first paper of importance on the North American
Myriapoda. This is the first and only monograph of the Myriapoda published in
this country. The most recent comprehensive work on this order, and very
important from a classificatory standpoint. A complete bibliographical review of the subject, with tables of
families and genera. ARACHNIDA. N. M. Hentz.—Descriptions and figures of the Araneides of the United
States. These papers form the basis of the study of American arachnology.
Numerous species are described, but not in synoptic form. A reprint of Hentz's papers on North American spiders. These two works represent the most recent systems of
classification, and are therefore of great general value, although
they deal only with the European fauna. A very useful review of the bibliography, with synoptic table of
the families of the Araneæ. The American Naturalist.A monthly journal devoted to the natural
sciences in their widest sense (24 volumes published up to date. Now
published at Philadelphia).[11]Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York(8 volumes,
1824–'67. Continued since 1876 as Annals of the New York Academy of
Sciences).[11]Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society(7 volumes, 1878–'85.
Continued as Entomologica Americana).Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of Natural History(4 volumes completed;
1874 to1883).Bulletins of the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the
Territories, F. V. Hayden in charge (Department of the Interior; 1875 to1879).Bulletins of the United States Geological Survey, J. M. Powell,director; beginning with 1883.Bulletins of the United States National Museum(Department of the
Interior; beginning with 1875).The Canadian Entomologist.(Published by the Entomological Society of
Ontario; 22 volumes issued up to the end of 1890. Published at London,
Ontario.)[11]Entomologica Americana.(Published by the Brooklyn Entomological
Society at Brooklyn, N. Y. 1885 to 1890.)Entomological News[and Proceedings of the Entomological Section of the
Academy of Natural Sciences] (Vol.iissued in 1890. Published at
Philadelphia).Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia(commencing
with 1817).Memoirs of the Boston Society of Natural History(commencing with 1866).[11]North American Entomologist.(Published by the Buffalo Society of
Natural Sciences, 1 volume, Buffalo, N. Y. 1879–'80.)[11]Papilio.Devoted exclusively to Lepidoptera. Organ of the New York
Entomological Club (4 volumes, 1881–'84).Psyche.Organ of the Cambridge Entomological Club (5 volumes issued up
to date. Published at Cambridge, Mass. Publication begun in 1874).Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia(beginning with 1841).Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia(beginning with 1860).Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History(commencing with
1841).[11]Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Philadelphia(6 volumes,
1861–'67).Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Philadelphia(2 volumes,
beginning with 1884).Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington(2 volumes,
beginning with 1884).Proceedings of the United States National Museum(Department of the
Interior; beginning with 1878).Reports of the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the
Territories(Department of the Interior; beginning with 1867).Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections(Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D. C.; beginning 1862).Transactions of the Academy of Science of St. Louis(4 volumes hitherto
published).Transactions of the American Entomological Societyand Proceedings of
the Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences (beginning
with 1868; published at Philadelphia).Transactions of the American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia(2d
series beginning with 1818).Papers on entomology are also published occasionally in other American
periodicals, among which the following might be mentioned:Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society.Chapel Hill, N. C.Journal of the New York Microscopical Society.Naturaliste Canadien.Edited by Abbé Provancher, Cap Rouge, Quebec.Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, Cal. Papers on entomology are also published occasionally in other American
periodicals, among which the following might be mentioned:
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