In this paper is given simply what has been noted by the writer during a study of these insects extending over more than a year.

Sivodrepa panicea.—This is the elliptical, reddish-brown beetle, about one-eighth of an inch long, which is found in almost every edible drug, and in some, such as aconite root and capsicum, that would be pronounced far from edible. In addition to these two drugs, I have found it in bitter almonds, sweet almonds, angelica, boneset, calumba, chamomile, chocolate, coriander, dandelion, elm bark, ergot, extract of licorice, German chamomile, orris root, prince's pine, rhubarb, squill, and sweet flag.

Upon request, I sent to Dr. H. A. Hagen specimens of the parasite of the Phylloxera, Diplosis (?) grassator. At the same time I sent him specimens of the Psylla described on page 198 of vol. xiv. Dr. Hagen favored me with information as follows:—

“The fly is a Cecidomyia; I think it is not sure that it belongs to Diplosis. At least the reticulation of the wing differs in having the median vein straight, and the fork at the hind margin wanting. You will see in Osten Sacken's Catalogue that the museums do not possess this type for Cecidomyia. I have gone through the literature, and find till now your species is not described. The larva is shrivelled up, therefore the trophi are not visible.

For my part, I am very glad that a plate of tibial structure has at last been published, and by Mr. Smith. It illustrates characters upon which I have long insisted, and is a valuable addition to the present “Synopsis.” The second plate might well have been omitted; it hardly assists the student, and is badly drawn. The “Synopsis” itself is a gratification to me; it is scientifically written so far as the characters it discusses are concerned. Its difference from my own work in its conclusions are more apparent than real. Mr. Smith writes with a critical eye to my shortcomings, and really finds very little to say. He quotes at some length a former statement of mine as to the spinose tibiæ (made ten years ago), which I at once corrected on examining again the small insect under a larger lens. But he excuses other modern writers with worse mistakes to father. In stating the case fairly, he should have said that although Mr. Grote has been the first American to insist on the natural characters of spinose tibiæ, yet once he called the tibiæ unarmed, where they were really spinose, but he promptly corrected the mistake.

Vanessodes fuscipes, n. s.

♂. Allied to Clarus, but the body entirely griseous, concolorous with the fuscous gray wings, which are sub-diaphanous and differ only from those of Clarus by being a little wider, more irrorate and dusted by dark scales. Same size as Clarus, but easily separated by the abdomen not being yellow. One specimen. Coll. B. Neumoegen, Esq. Arizona. The antennæ are not so heavily pectinated. There are no perceptible marks on the wings, which are not exactly of the same shade as those of Clarus, being more grayish.

There seems to be a great lack of historical knowledge about the above insects in this State, at least as far as my observations are concerned. In several collections, even in that of the State Normal, have I found Papilio telamonides labeled Walshii; this, however, was in the year 1878 and '79.

Subsequent observations will show that it is no wonder that this insect has escaped the notice of many of our best collectors.

Anthrenus VariusFab.—Entomologists generally are well enough acquainted with the appearance of this insect, and but too well with the work of its larvæ; but as to the time required for its development there is not the same unanimity of knowledge,—some stating that it requires a year for its various transformations; others, that only a few weeks are necessary. The following is my experience: May, 1879, I placed a female in a paper collar box with some refuse Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. This box stood on the mantel-piece in my office, and consequently the temperature was nearly uniform summer and winter. An examination two months afterwards revealed several small larvæ. These were inspected monthly, and appeared to have attained their growth by the 1st of December, though they remained active during the winter. The first pupæ were observed March 5th, and the first beetle on the 26th. From that time to May 1st thirty-five developed in all,—the product of this one beetle. Three females and two males were left in the box, and six weeks afterwards young larvæ were observed. They were inspected monthly, and followed the same course as observed the previous year. From April to May, (1881), seventy-five beetles were taken from the box. How many were left in unknown.

Through his Lordship's kindness, I have received, with much pleasure, a copy of the above named brochure. From such examination as I have been able to give it, it seems to me by far the most valuable of recent contributions to the literature of American Tineidœ, and place all students of this beautiful group of the “Micros” under special obligations to its distinguished author.

The material examined in the preparation of these “Notes” consisted mainly of the loaned collections of Profs. Fernald and Riley, that of the Peabody Academy of Sciences of Salem, Mass., of Mr. Goodell, of Amherst, Mass., and a small contribution by the present writer. Each of these lots contained some of Mr. chambers' types. The only American collections of any note which were not represented were those of the Harvard Museum at Cambridge, Mass., and the Clemens' types at Philadelphia. Of the latter, however, Lord Walsingham had full notes made during his visit to this country i 1872.

On the 10th of July I found a pupa of this species suspended by the hind end of its body beneath a log. The 1arval skin was rent and worked backward, but still retained nearly its original shape and color, and by comparing it with certain larvæ which I have frequently met with in similar situations, there is no doubt in my mind but that these latter belong to the above species.

These larvæ very closely resemble that figured by Packard on page 465 of his “Guide” (fig. 432), which in the text on the succeeding page is referred to Photuris. The dried specimens now before me measure about 12 mm., and are of a dull purplish-brown color; venter pale yellow, tinged with pink and marked with a brownish stripe on each outer edge, and with two rows of brown spots, these not extending upon the first three segments; head retractile, dull blackish, the region of the jaws polished brown, and furnished with four black prickles, the upper two of which are placed transversely, the lower two longitudinally.

By the kindness of Mr. Donnelly, the very efficient head gardener of the Central Park, of this city, I am put in possession of sixty cocoons of the “Basket-worm.” They were taken from the terminal twigs of a sapling Sycamore Maple and Horse Chestnut growing on the low land in the immediate vicinity of the zoological garden. The cocoons hung in clusters on every twig, and as they had excited considerable curiosity, the gardener permitted them to remain until about the period of egg-hatching. I have supposed it might be of interest to the subscribers of the Canadian Entomologist to have the result of my examination of these cocoons. The of them had been occupied by the male, as attested by the puparium within. In about an equal number I found the broken shell-case of the female, all else having been devoured by parasites, some of which, in pupa condition, were found within the cocoons.