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Vol.10: no.5
ADDITIONAL BOLOR1A TODDI RECORDS FROM MARYLAND
E. G. MACLEOD (Lepid. Mews 9:54; 1955), reporting Maryland records of Boloria toddi (Holland) obtained in the past few years, suggests that they may indicate a southward extension of the range subsequent to 1932. It therefore seems desirable to record some earlier observations. The files of the Department of Entomology of the Natural History Society of Maryland include records of this species from Riderwood, Baltimore County, taken by F. S. HAYDON in May 1930 and on 2 and 11 August 1932. A record from Herring Run Park, Baltimore, is attributed to E. Gretsky. On 17 June 1932 I took one specimen on clover in marsh grass near the shore of an inlet on the north side of the Loch Raven Reservoir, Gunpowder River, Baltimore County. This specimen and the three taken by HAYDON are in the collection of the N.H.S.Md. in Baltimore where I examined them on 14 January 1956.
The addition of these records to those given by MacLeod provides occurrences of record in each county of Maryland along the "Fall Line" from the Susquehanna to the Potomac River. Until records are reported from other sections of Maryland, the possibility is suggested that the occurrence of B. toddi is limited to the lower edge of the Piedmont Plateau in Maryland.
Bryant Mather, P.O. Drawer 2131, Jackson, Miss., U. S. A.
THE USE OF THE LEITZ "ULTROPAK" MICROSCOPE FOR STUDYING THE SCALES OF LEPIDOPTERA IN SITU
As noted by B. C. S. Warren {Entomologist 84:73; 1951) a major difficulty in using the form of the androconia or any other type of scales as a taxonomic character is the possibility of the contamination of mounts by material from other specimens. This difficulty is readily avoided by examining the scales in situ by reflected light through the use of high magnification (72X) in an ordinary dissecting microscope, or, preferably, of the Leitz "Universal Ultropak" microscope. The latter instrument, by means of a built-in source of illumination, permits observation by reflected light under relatively high magnification. In the study of certain species of Erebia it was found that androconia are plainly visible in situ through the "Ultropak" at 110X- If the wing of the specimen is at certain angles, the androconia may be difficult to see; therefore several different observations should be made {i.e., equivalent areas on opposite wings) before conclusions are drawn. After some experience is gained with the "Ultropak" the scales may be seen fairly readily under the dissecting microscope. Examination of scales in situ is fast, sure, and does not damage the specimen. It permits accurate determination of the distribution of the various types of scales, but has the disadvantage of not permitting detailed examination of the scales themselves. Other entomological uses for the "Ultropak" are numerous; it should be considered whenever a situation calls for high magnification of opaque surfaces.
PAUL R. Ehrlich, Dept. of Entomology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, U. S. A.