ing their prosperity. Leaving out any of these, he is like one who undertakes to make out the construction of a watch, but overlooks one wheel; and by the time he has studied all these sufficiently, he will find that he has run through the whole complicated mechanism of the aquatic life of the locality, both animal and vegetable, of which his species forms but a single element. * * * * "I cannot too strongly emphasize the fact frequently illustrated, I venture to hope, by the papers of this series-that a comprehensive survey of our entire natural history is absolutely essential to a good working knowledge of those parts of it which chiefly attract popular attention-that is, its edible fishes, its injurious and beneficial insects, and its parasitic plants. Such a survey, however, should not stop with a study of the dead forms of nature, ending in mere lists and descriptions. To have an applicable value, it must treat the life of the region as an organic unit, must study it in action, and direct principal attention to the laws of its activity."

Prof. Forbes believes, from results so far obtained, that it will prove to be a rule “that a fish makes scarcely more than a mechanical selection from the articles of food accessible to it, taking almost indifferently whatever edible things the water contains which its habitual range and its peculiar alimentary apparatus enable it to appropriate, and eating of these in about the ratio of their relative abundance and the ease with which they can be appropriated at any time and place. If this is so, knowing the structure of a fish and the contents of a body of water, we shall be able to tell, a priori, what the fish will eat if placed therein."

INSECT ENEMIES OF THE RICE PLANT.-In the October number of the American Entomologist (Vol. III, p. 253), we published an interesting communication from Mr. John Screven, of Savannah, Ga., addressed to Dr. J. L. LeConte, regarding insects injurious to the rice plant. We then referred the Scarabæid larva (or "grub") which feeds upon the roots provisionally to the genus Ligyrus, being led to this conclusion by the circumstance that a species of this genus (L. rugiceps Lec.) attacks, in a similar way, the roots of sugar cane in the south, and that another species (L. relictus Say,) which is common farther north, has been observed feeding on the roots of wild rice in the marshes bordering Lake Erie. Meanwhile Mr. Screven kindly sent us specimens of the perfect insect, which proves to be a closely related form, Chalepus trachypygus Burm. This beetle occurs through the whole extent of the Southern States, and is very common along the edges of the swamps, in the pine barrens and in similar moist grassy places, feeding both in the larva and imago states on the roots of grasses.

Of the second species attacking the roots of rice, the "maggot" of Mr. Screven (see Am. Ent. III. p, 262-3), no perfect insects

have been received yet, but renewed examination of the larva seems to confirm our opinion previously expressed (1. c. p. 253), viz: that it is a Cerambycid allied to Oberea. If so, the species in question is possibly Spalacopsis suffusa Newm., which is by far less rare in the Southeast than is generally supposed. The perfect insect occurs in large numbers, in June and July, in very wet grassy places, its larva doubtless boring in the stems or roots of grasses which are more or less covered with water. The beetle, however, is very liable to be overlooked even by an experienced collector, as when approached it "plays possum" and is then almost undistinguishable from a piece of dry grass.

The "water weevil" mentioned by Mr. Screven as injurious to rice we conjecture to be a species of Centrinus (perhaps C. concinnus Lec.?) or of an allied genus of the Barini group, as several species thereof occur in great numbers in wet, grassy places in the South, and as the larvæ of this group are known to live in the roots or stems of plants.

In this connection we would finally call attention to the reported recent appearance of a formidable insect enemy to the rice plant in the East Indies. Mr. Wood Mason, deputy superintendent of the India Museum has identified it as belonging to the genus Cecidomyia, which genus "has never before been found in India," and proposes the name of C. oryza, for the species, which threatens to become very destructive to the rice crop.

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF CYNIPS.-Cynips q. Rileyi, n. sp. The galls of this species have been accurately figured in the American Entomologist, Vol. III, p. 153, by Prof. Riley, who received them from North Bend, Ohio. In the only specimen I have, the twig on which the galls grow is three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter and the galls rise about one-fifth of an inch, but the specimen figured is apparently larger than mine. As Prof. Riley has remarked, the galls bear some resemblance to those of C. q. punctata B. The latter are, however, of a hard woody structure, while the former are of a cork-like consistence, and apparently, quite destitute of woody fiber. As all the flies I have reared from these galls are females I think it will prove to be the one-gendered form of one of our many dimorphic species To this new and in many respects very interesting species I have given the name of my esteemed fellow-laborer in this interesting branch of entomology, and to whom I am indebted for the specimens described.

Galls. Abrupt, irregular swellings on the twigs of Quercus castanea; varying in size and form from round, pustule-like bodies, one-fourth of an inch in diameter, and containing a single larva to a confluent mass of galls an inch or more in length and half an inch in diameter and containing many larvæ. The larger ones sometimes nearly or quite encircle the twig. Externally they are covered with a smooth, healthy bark like the unaffected parts of the branch. Internally they are of a dense cork-like substance, which is inseparable from the enclosed larval cells.

Gall-fly. Head black, smooth and shining. Antennæ short, antennal joints

thirteen; Ist joint, short, thick, truncate, 2d, short, oval; in color both are of a dark amber; 3d joint equal to the two preceding taken together, color yellowishbrown; 4th to 13th inclusive, a dusky yellowish-brown. Face black; mandibles yellowish, with black tips. Thorax small. Mesothorax rises abruptly above the very narrow collare; it is smooth, shining, black and grooveless, but under a one-eighth magnifier presents a minutely crackled surface, with a few scattered white hairs. Scutellum smooth, rounded and separated from the anterior portion of the mesothorax by a broad, shallow and highly polished groove. Wings small, hyaline, veins dark brown, heavy; the subcostal uniform its entire length, areolet large, well defined; radial area long and narrow, open. Legs dark shining brown, with pale yellowish joints. Abdomen subpedicellate, smooth, black, polished; in dry specimens truncate by the insheathing of the last three segments within the others. Length, .11. Length of wings, .11.

Described from 12 specimens, all females, in my collection.H. F. Bassett, Waterbury, Conn.

THE "YELLOW FEVER FLY."-In the last number of Psyche (September, 1880), Dr. H. A. Hagen gives some references to a fly belonging to the genus Sciara, which has been dubbed the "Yellow Fever Fly," presumably, judging from the context of the article, because it has been observed to swarm more particularly during yellow fever epidemics. The larvæ of this genus of flies are well known to feed upon the humus in soils and other decaying vegetable matter, and it is more than probable that the conditions which favor the development of the yellow fever also favor the development of these flies. We certainly cannot conceive any other connection between the insect and the disease. Based upon a list of swarms of Diptera by Prof. Weyenburg in 1861, in which Sciara is not included, Dr. Hagen considers the appearance of this fly in swarms, as described by Dr. Ravenel in South Carolina, as new. We have frequently observed them in swarms sufficiently dense to appear, at a short distance, like smoke.

The following unpublished letter received by us, with specimens, from Mr. S. S. Rathvon, of Lancaster, Pa., nearly twelve years since (March 22, 1869), also refers to flies of this genus as recorded in the American Entomologist (1, p. 186):

"I enclose a quill containing some Dipterous insects, which I received a few days ago from a friend in Bethlehem, Pa. He says they came out of the cracks between the floor boards, in July, in one of the upper rooms of a new addition built to their seminary, in millions. He counted five thousand on a single window, partly flying and partly running up the panes of glass. What seemed remarkable to him was that not one was seen in any other part of the house. Whilst living the wings were iridescent, but after death they lose this color. Near the end of August, last year, I had a partition fence painted on my premises, when the whole surface became covered with millions of little flies, with iridescent wings, very similar to these, and perhaps the same species. I confess that I know nothing about their name or history, although I have often noticed them adhering to newly painted buildings during spring and summer. What are they?"

WAYS OF LIMENITIS BREDOWII.-Mrs. A. E. Bush sends from San Jose, Cal., the following account of the flight and habits of this beautiful butterfly:

They are warriors and seem to have a good deal of character. They alighted on the white or black oaks high above, and with the appearance of being on the alert, waited till a large yellow Papilio came in sight, when it was chased away, and Limenitis returned to his perch awaiting for the next fray. A smaller butterfly routed the Limenitis, however. They were shy of light colors. When I had on a light-colored dress I could not get near one, but with a brown dress they would alight on it, and about my feet. Throwing small pebbles, chips or rocks at them seemed to enrage them, and they would follow anything thrown at them back to the ground. A Grapta, on the contrary, was attracted by a white hat, and hovered around my head like a bee above the flowers, and would alight on the hat and on my hand. ·

HABITS OF XYLOTRECHUS CONVERGENS. The larva of this Longicorn beetle infests what we call thorn apple or red haw; comes to maturity in one year, and the imago makes its appearance about the 15th of June. I have taken it as late as July 1st. It kills the tree in one year after the egg is laid in the crevices of the bark. As soon as hatched the larva enters the wood, and hardly travels six inches. I am the only one here who has taken it so far; I have taken twenty out of a piece of wood three feet long.-M. J. Myers, Ft. Madison, Ia., in letter to Dr. F. L. LeConte.

AN AQUATIC SPHINX LARVA.-In the same number of Psyche above referred to, is an interesting communication by Baron von Reitzenstein, of New Orleans, La., describing a sphinx larva belonging to the genus Philampelus, which he found feeding on the floating Nymphæa in the centre of a draining canal, the whole body, with exception of the thoracic segments, being submerged under water. The larvæ are described as swimming with great facility from one patch of plants to another.

ANTHROPOLOGY.1

EARLY MAN IN BRITAIN.-The latest utterance upon this subject is from the pen of the distinguished cave hunter, Prof. W. Boyd Dawkins, entitled, "Early Man in Britain, and his place in the Tertiary Period," published in London by Macmillan & Co. The subject is treated in the three-fold point of view of the geologist, the prehistoric archæologist, and the historian. Beginning with the earliest period during which man is alleged to have made his appearance, the author passes downward through time, or, what is equivalent, upward through the geological record to the prehistoric iron age. The Tertiary period is divided into six 1 Edited by Prof. OTIS T. MASON, Columbian College, Washington, D. C.

parts (p. 9): 1. Eocene (living orders and families present); II. Miocene (living genera); 111. Pliocene (living species); Iv. Plistocene (living species abundant, man appears); v. Prehistoric (man abundant, domestic animals, cultivated fruits); vi. Historic (historic records).

Britain in the Eocene is described geologically and geographically, and after examining carefully the fauna and the flora, Mr. Dawkins concludes that man has no place in such an assemblage of animals. Nevertheless, the lowest member of the Primates. was represented in the upper Eocene of Europe, and throughout the whole of that period in America.

The Miocene is divided likewise into upper, middle and lower, and the distribution of land and water, plants and animals, as well as the changes of climate and sea level discussed in the light of recent research. Was man in Europe in the Miocene age? All the conditions necessary to the primeval garden of Eden were satisfied. The flints of Thenay and the notched rib of Pouance are allowed their due weight, and yet Prof. Dawkins decides upon the whole, that the data are insufficient to establish man's contemporaneity with the Dinothere and other members of the Miocene fauna.

The Pliocene age is next passed in review, with the same systematic treatment. Europe is no longer joined with America, and profound changes take place in the geology, climate, fauna and flora of the former. The author, however, rejects the skull of Olmo, the cut bones of Tuscany, and other evidences of Pliocene man. He says, "Of twenty-one fossil mammalia in the Pliocene of Tuscany, only the hippopotamus is now living on earth. It is improbable that man should have been present in such a fauna. They belong to one stage of evolution and man to another and later."

Prof. Dawkins finds his earliest man in the Plistocene. The chapters upon the fauna of this age and the two races: the Drift men and the Cave men, are, to our thinking, the best in the book. In opposition to Mr. Evans, the author holds that these two series are entirely distinct states of culture, of which the Cave men are the newer and the higher. We are without a clue to the ethnology of the River-drift man, but the many points of connection between the Cave men and the Eskimos can be explained only on the hypothesis that they belong to the same race.

Then follows the civilization of the Prehistoric period, covering all the events which took place between the Pleistocene age and the beginning of history. No break of continuity is allowed, but the Tertiary period is looked upon as extending down to the present day. The Prehistoric period is divided into three ages, the Neolithic, the Bronze, and the Iron age. In the former men were divided into tribal communities, engaged in agriculture, herding and fishing. Spinning, weaving, mining, boat-building,