Part 2

After emerging from their hibernating quarters, the beetles jump or fly to the nearest rose bush and soon begin to satisfy their appetite after the long winter's fast. At this time the tender bursting rose buds seem to be the favorite food, and the beetles engorge themselves with bites from the prospective crop of leaves, then locked up in the buds. The beetles seem to be most active during the warmer sunshiny portions of the day, when they may be seen jumping and flying about the rose bushes. When touched or jarred, they at once drop quickly to the ground, where they feign death for a short time, later returning to the foliage. Their shining bronze color renders it easy to discover and watch them at their destructive work. They begin gnawing an unsightly hole into either the side or top of the bursting leaf bud, often boring into the bud so far as to be almost hidden from view. It usually takes the beetles a few days to satisfy their vigorous spring appetites; then they turn their attention to the propagation of their kind. The later emerging adults feed voraciously on the foliage (Pl. I, Fig. 5) eating out irregular places in the leaves.

Many individuals were found in copulo on April 12, 1913, and on April 14, 1915. Eggs were laid in great numbers April 15, 1913, but not until the first of May in 1915, due to a long stretch of cold wet weather. By May 18 many eggs were to be found but usually no larvae. The eggs are laid in masses (Pl. I, Fig. 3) of from two to fifteen in a cluster with an average of between seven and nine. They are deposited usually on the lower surface of the leaf. No eggs are deposited until the foliage is well along usually, as this is the food of the larvae. The writer observed a female during oviposition. She thrusts out the egg and by a mucilagenous substance causes the egg to adhere fast to the leaf. She decorates the egg, as it were, with a fluid which later turns black and appears as a streak across the ova. The adults do not live long after egg deposition, usually about a week and a half. A number of females were observed to lay from forty to fifty eggs each.

The length of the egg stage was found to vary considerably even in the insectary, due no doubt largely to the weather conditions. In indoor observations it ranged from seven to fifteen days, with an average of twelve. In the open, eggs under screen cloth were deposited on May 24, 1913, and hatched June 10, 1913, a duration of seventeen days. By June, 1913, practically all of the egg masses had hatched and scarcely an adult could be found anywhere. The larvae are at first yellow, changing over to a black after a short period of time (Pl. I, Fig. 7). The eggs split at the side when the young emerge and the larvae remain quiet for some time apparently feeding first on the remaining egg juices. After a while they begin to move about for convenient feeding spots. The larvae moult three times, and after each moulting appear yellow, soon changing to a black. Several of the grubs usually work on the same leaf, continuing to eat small irregular holes, through, or nearly through, the leaf until it appears skeletonized (Pl. I, Fig. 7), when they seek new pastures.

When full grown the larvae drop to the soil and after burrowing to a depth of about an inch or less, they construct soil cells of earth (Pl. I, Fig. 6), not unlike the cell of the common cherry and pear slug, in which they pupate. By July 3, 1913, many larvae were falling to the soil. The length of the larval stage varies from fifteen to twenty-five days with an average of twenty days. By July 10 many pupae (Pl. I, Fig. 4) were found in the soil. The writer neglected to ascertain the exact length of the pupal stage, but from the meager observations made up to this time ventures the opinion that it is about eighteen days. By the first of August many adults could be found. They are a beautiful metallic color when just emerged. The writer bred from the adults a species of Diptera a _Tachinid_ but has not been able to ascertain the species. Subsequent observation revealed no eggs, so undoubtedly the species is single brooded. The life-cycle is calculated to last about fifty-five days from eggs to adults, but this is greatly influenced by the weather conditions. The length of the adult stage is about ten months, depending, of course, upon the time the warm days approach in the spring and upon the cold stretches which intervene, conditions which influence emergence from their hibernating quarters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS STAGES

The Eggs (Pl. I, Fig. 3) are of an orange color, oblong oval or bean-shaped. The egg has a delicate covering by which it is attached to the leaf. Nearly every egg has a sort of spine-shape structure attached, although it is not exactly a spine but a part of the egg covering, which, when it has dried, gives it a black streaked appearance at that point. The egg measures 1 mm. in length by .25 mm. in width.

The Larvae (Pl. I, Fig. 7) when full grown have the body wider at the anterior end, tapering gradually to the anal segment and covered with many hairs. They are covered with an oily substance in which they often collect their excrement as they feed and travel. The entire larva is black and the segments of the body possess numerous tubercles bearing setae. Each segment of the abdomen has a group of tubercles on a side above the spiracles. When full grown the larvae measure from 6 to 8 mm. in length.

The Pupa (Pl. I, Fig. 4) is yellow, 4 to 6 mm. in length, with the wing pads and legs of a paler yellow to nearly white. Two setae are located on the vertex and two on the occupit of head. The prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax bear spines varying in number. The abdomen possesses three rows of setae on each side above the spiracles.

The Adult (Pl. I, Fig. 1) is green bronze, entire upper surface polished and strongly shining sculpture throughout, nearly as in _Haltica ignita_. Antennæ piceous, slightly more than half the length of the body, joints 2-3-4 gradually increasing in length, the fourth very nearly three times as long as wide. Eyes rather small and not very prominent, their width as seen from the front distinctly less than half the interocular distance. Prothorax two-thirds wider than long, sides parallel in basal half, convergent anteriorly. Elytra fully two-thirds as wide as long, and nearly three-fourths wider than the prothorax. Body beneath piceous; abdomen alutaceous, rather coarsely punctate and transversely rugulose. Length 3.7 mm. to 4 mm.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE

Figure 1. The adult beetle (greatly enlarged).

Figure 2. The adult beetle (natural size).

Figure 3. Eggs in situ on leaf greatly enlarged.

Figure 4. Pupa greatly enlarged.

Figure 5. Rose leaves showing work of adult beetles.

Figure 6. Pupal soil cell.

Figure 7. Larvae at work skeletonizing leaf.

Notes on Birds of Laguna Beach and Vicinity for 1916

H. H. NININGER

In addition to the work done by Mr. Leon Gardener and others on the distribution of birds in the vicinity of Laguna Beach I noted the following species in the summer of 1916:

70. _Sturna hirundo_ (Common Tern)

This species was found occasionally about the muddy flats at Balboa.

74. _Sturna antillarum_ (Least Tern)

The Least Tern is much more common than the former. They were often seen in small flocks diving for fish along the coast from Laguna to Balboa. They probably nest along the sandy shores; but none of their nests were taken by the writer.

95. _Puffinis griseus_ (Dark Bodied Shearwater)

These birds were found ten to twelve miles from shore, in flocks feeding over schools of fish. They are called by the fishermen "Barracuda Birds."

210. _Rollus obsoletus_ (Calif. Clapper Rail)

Found in the swampy tracts about Balboa.

214. _Porzana carolina_ (Sora Rail)

A specimen of this Rail was taken at one of the lakes in Laguna Canyon in the latter part of July.

421. _Chordeiles acutipennis_ (Texas Night Hawk)

Either at dusk or at dawn these birds could be found abundantly, in certain localities, feeding over fields, pools and streams to which they came at dusk, from the hills where they spent the daylight hours. Mr. C. C. White found a pair of young almost ready for flight on one of the hills bordering on Laguna Canyon, July 7, 1916.

425. _Aeronautes melanoleucus_ (White-throated Swift)

Mr. Charles A. Keeler in "Bird Notes Afield" (1889) records this species from Capistrano. To one accustomed to meeting with this bird only among the high and almost inaccessible cliffs of the mountains it is no little surprise to find it in a district so nearly level as the region about this old mission settlement. But surely it is there. A visit to the place in the latter part of July revealed the fact that they are, seventeen years since Mr. Keeler's writings, still using the same broken walls as a retreat. I think they are nesting at the time we visited the place, for upon the entrance of an adult into one of the crevices there came cries of young birds which seemed to be coming from birds that were being fed.

530a. _Astragalinus P. hesperophilus_ (Green-backed Goldfinch)

Common around Laguna and the neighboring hills. Nests with eggs were found, probably the second brood for the season.

634. _Vireo vicinior_ (Gray Vireo)

Found along the streams near Capistrano.

685a. _Wilsonia pusilla pileolata_ (Pileolated Warbler)

Fairly common in trees along streams near Capistrano.

364. _Pandion haliaetus carolinensis_ (American Osprey)

One of these magnificent birds was found on the rocky cliffs bordering the shore between Laguna and Balboa. It was seen several times and was reasonably tame.

BREEDING NOTES

In addition to the nests of the more common birds the following were noted:

Several Raven nests on the cliffs bordering the shore and are in Boat Canyon about a mile from the sea were found deserted, but feathers of their owners and the remains of their food betrayed their identity.

A brood of Ruddy Ducks was seen on one of the lakes in Laguna Canyon several times.

Coots were found breeding about the lakes in abundance.

(_Contribution from the Zoological Laboratory of Pomona College_)

Solpugids From the Claremont-Laguna Region

J. NISBET

The following list of solpugids represents a collection obtained by students and others during the past four or five years. Drawings are given of one large specimen and top and side views of the head region of several others. The determinations are by Dr. N. Banks.

_Eremobates formicaria_ Koch

This species has been taken from our region although such large specimens have been reported only from dryer regions. This specimen, a male is from Brawley, Cal. (Figs. 1 and 2). Figs. 3 and 4 were taken from a young specimen collected at Claremont.

The movable finger of the cheliceræ of the male has two large teeth. Anterior margin of rephalothorix straight. Hind tarsi one segment.

_Eremobates californica_ Sim.

The drawings are from a specimen taken at Laguna Beach (Figs. 5 and 6). Specimens were also taken at Claremont. Movable finger of the cheliceræ with a large tooth. This is not so marked in the female. Hind tarsi one segment.

_Hemerotrecha californica_ Banks

Specimens were obtained at Claremont. Upper finger of cheliceræ without teeth or many small teeth. Male has an elongated flayellow of two parts on the upper finger of chalicera. Hind tarsi with three joints. Specimens obtained were about evenly divided between this and the previous species (Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10).

(_Contribution from the Zoological Laboratory of Pomona College_)

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES

Figure 1. _Eremobates formicaria_ Koch. ×2.

Figure 2. _Eremobates formicaria_ Koch, side view of cheliceræ. ×2.

Figures 3-4. Cheliceræ from young _E. formicaria_. ×2.

Figures 5-6. Cheliceræ from _E. californica_ Sim. ×2.

Figures 7-8. Cheliceræ from _Hemerotrecha californica_ Banks, views of the cheliceræ. ×2.

Figures 9-10. _H. californica_ views of cheliceræ, another specimen. ×2.

Record of Two Pseudoscorpions From Claremont-Laguna Region

WINIFRED T. MOORE

_Garypus Californicus_ Banks

Description: Fig. 1. Length 5 mm.

Color: Cephalothorax and pedipalps dark brown, abdomen and legs light yellow; each abdominal scutae with a dark central spot; anterior ventral scutae also with dark spots. Cephalothorax emarginate; four eyes; femur of pedipalps longer than cephalothorax, tibia hardly convex on inner side, hand about as long as tibia, fingers longer than hand; legs long and slender.

Habitat: Specimen found under rocks near ocean at Laguna Beach, collected by Walter Sturgis.

_Chelanops pallipes_ Banks

Description: Fig. 2. Length 2 mm. including mandibles.

Color: Cephalothorax light reddish brown, pedipalps darker, abdomen and legs pale yellow.

Similar to C. dorsalis, but fingers a little longer than hand; no eye spots, clavate hairs found on all parts of two types, on legs and pedipalps more clavate on one side (Fig. 3) on body evening clavate (Fig. 4). Simple hairs found on under surface of tarsus. All parts covered with small chiton plates.

Habitat: Specimens taken from under stones in wash near Claremont.

(_Contribution from the Zoological Laboratory of Pomona College_)

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES

Figure 1. _Garypus Californicus._ ×20.

Figure 2. _Chelanops pallipes._ ×20.

Figure 3. Hair from legs and pedipalps of _C. pallipes_ much enlarged.

Figure 4. Hair from body of _C. pallipes_ much enlarged.

The Central Nervous System of a Sipunculid

WILLIAM A. HILTON

A number of specimens of the genus Phascolosoma were obtained at Laguna Beach. These were preserved in various fluids. Flemming's fluid and mercuric chloride, were especially valuable for study. The nerve cords were dissected out and mounted after staining. Some were imbedded, sectioned and stained. The stain which brought out the cells with greatest clearness was copper haematoxylin.

The general character of the nervous system of sipunculids is well known, and the specimens examined at this time were typical as to the form of the brain and cord. The brain is imbedded in the proboscis just below the tentacles. It has a similar appearance in section to the photographs of Spengel, 1912. The brain is small. Two main branches supply nearby tentacles and muscles. There is a pair of small branches from the connectives. Extending from the epithelium of the tentacular region is a pair of tubes leading into the brain, the cerebral organs. These epithelial tubes lead to a pigmented area on each side, and these pigmented areas in section look like simple eyes. A few irregular spots of pigment were found near the larger masses. The epithelium at the outer end of the tube was also deeply pigmented.

Throughout the body the ventral nerve cord kept about the same width, although the muscle bands at the sides increased somewhat. The strands connecting the muscles and nerves to the animal's body were more or less regularly arranged. In specimens with the proboscis drawn in, the nerve cord is of course doubled back on itself. In the specimen drawn at the junction of the two parts, that of the proboscis and that of the ventral body-wall, there is a lack of lateral branches, as shown in the upper portion of the second line of the drawing. Towards the caudal end the lateral branches come off more irregularly.

When the animal is contracted the nerve cord seems to be segmented, but sections show that this appearance is due to the slight folding of the nerve cord within the muscle bands; the nerve tissue does not seem to be elastic.

Very little has been written on the histological structure of sipunculids. Haller, 1889, discusses a number of points, especially in _sipunculus nudus_, relating to the ventral cord only. I find a number of differences in this form. I did not find any very clear evidence of special neuroglia cells, such as described and figured by Haller, such elements may be present, but at least they are not evident, not so evident as in many other invertebrates which I have examined. Nerve cells may anastomose with each other as shown in Haller's figure, but of this I can not be sure. If fibres do not unite they are in very intimate contact.

In the ventral cord no small fibrils were seen only rather small fibers which may have been fibrils. The lack of connective material in part at least, perhaps because the nervous system is often extended and folded, shows the cell processes with great distinctness. This may be why a clearer picture than usual is presented of the relationship of cells.

Cells are abundant on the ventral side of the cord, especially in the middle line. The more dorsal fibrous region is practically without cells of any kind. No very marked tracts of fibers are evident, the fibers are about equally distributed in all directions and may be subdivided as follows:

1. Fibers which enter the fibrous mass from cells and run short distances up and down.

2. Fibers which pass from cells to other cells near by in the cellular area.

3. Fibers which leave the ganglion laterally from ventral cells.

4. Fibers which enter from the lateral nerves to end in the fiber area or in among the cells.

There are no indications of long fibers, either ascending or descending. After the examination of the cord of this animal one is impressed with the suggestion that many cells of similar sort act alike, that is groups of cells, not individuals are involved in the simplest transmissions of impulses. This general suggestion which, of course, is not new, comes to mind with great clearness after the study of thin sections of the cord of this animal. Whether the cells actually anastomose or not is a question hard to decide, but in the numerous contacts of naked fibers there is, I believe, ample opportunity for the transmission of complex changes from cell to cell, to all parts of the nervous system. In this form there is no particular localization of definite centers.

The brain differs in structure from the cord, the central fibrous mass is more dense, the cells are very much smaller and more numerous. Some cells of the brain send their fibers out directly without the common pathway of a distinct nerve trunk. No special features of the brain were determined except the cerebral organs already described.

_Andreae_ 1882 Beitrag zur Anatomie und Histologie des Sipunculus nudus. Zeit. f. Wiss. Zool. t. xxxvi.

_Andrews, E. A._ 1887 Notes on the anatomy of Sipunculus gouldii Pourt. Studies Biol. Lab. J. H. univ. vol. iv.

_Delage et Herouard_ 1897 Traite de zoologique concrete. Les vermidiens. vol. v. Paris.

_Haller, B._ 1889 Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Textur des Central nervensystem Hoherer Wurmer. Arb. des Zoolog. Inst. Wien Tom. viii. Heft 2.

_Marcel, A. Herubel_ 1907 Recherches sur Sipunculides. Chap. iv. Le system nerveux. Mem. soc. d. France. t. xx.

_Melalnikoff, S._ 1900 Zeit. Wiss. Zool. Bd. lxviii.

_Herubel, A._ 1902 Sur le cerveux du Phascolosome. Ac. d. Paris, cxxiv.

_Spengel, J. W._ 1912 Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Gephyren. Zeit. Wiss. Zool. Bd. xxxiv.

_Ward, H. B._ 1891 Some points on the anatomy and history of Sipunculus nudus. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard College.

(_Contribution from the Zoological Laboratory of Pomona College_)

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Central nervous system of Phascolosoma ×15. The cord is shown in three separate pieces. The lower end of the first or left-hand drawing should join with the second and so on. The central nerve band is shown with the lateral branches of muscle and nerve. The brain is shown attached to the first segment at the left. The pigment spots, cerebral tubes and chief nerves are shown. The brain is drawn from reconstructions made from serial sections.

Figure 2. Cross section of the nerve cord. ×75.

Figure 3. Longitudinal section of the nerve cord. ×75.

Figures 4 to 6. Drawings of sections taken through the brain at various levels, only one-half is shown in each case. ×75.

Littoral Ascidians Collected at Laguna Beach

The specimens reported upon are from a collection made by P. A. Lichti during the summer of 1915, and from a small collection brought in during the summer of 1916. The determinations of all but the fifth were kindly made by Prof. W. E. Ritter.

_Ascidia californica_ Ritter and Forsythe

These simple forms were found quite abundantly under stones and in kelp holdfasts. The form of the body was determined largely by the position the animal took on the stone or seaweed.

_Styela barnharti_ Ritter and Forsythe

The specimens obtained were young, simple, of a redish-brown color and about 4 mm. high. They were found under stones at low tide but not as commonly as some others.

_Styla montereyensis_ Dall

A single specimen of this large, simple species was taken just off shore. It was slender at the base, expanded near the openings and of a redish-brown color.

_Euherdmania claviformis_ Ritter

This slender species was often found in clusters under stones. They were about 2 mm. in diameter and 10-20 mm. long, sometimes free from sand, at other times covered with sand grains.

_Goodsiria dura_ Ritter

Bright red or orange masses of these were often found in bits of seaweed from deeper water. The individuals were 2 to 3 mm. across and often closely massed on the seaweed or other support.

_Eudistoma diaphones_ Ritter and Forsythe

This was the common compound species found closely attached to the lower sides of stones. It was often quite extensive but not thick or colored.

_Eudistoma psamion_ Ritter and Forsythe

Great masses of this tough, pinkish or slightly colored form were found under rock ledges. It resembles one of the sponges in general appearance and is found in among sponges and polyzoans. This was one of the most bulky forms which we found.

_Glossophorum planum_ Ritter and Forsythe

Irregular masses of this species were found under rock ledges and under stones. Our specimens are largely covered with sand grains.

_Distaplia occidentalis_ Ritter and Forsythe

This compound stalked form was found on a rock ledge at low tide near Salt Creek.

W. A. H.

(_Contribution from the Zoological Laboratory of Pomona College_)

Summer School at Laguna Beach

The summer school at Laguna Beach during the past season was in many respects the most valuable of the past five or six years. There were more students, more teachers and fully as many visitors. The harvest of specimens was very satisfactory. Many creatures not before gathered here were brought from the nearby waters. Amphioxus was obtained here for the first time, as well as many other interesting and valuable specimens.

Several new courses were offered. A course in Ecology was given by Professor Bean. In this the local distribution of animals was especially studied. A similar course is to be offered this summer to those who have had some zoology. It is believed that this work will bring greater and greater advantages to us here as we come to know the local conditions better. In the nature of the material this will always be to a large extent a field study.