248 California Earth-Worms. [ZOE © 
I have very little to add to this description of the insect by 
Mr. Ricksecker. It is true the description of Z. albida by 
Stretch could be construed into a description of L. Rickseckeri 2. 
Mr. Stretch states that the specimen (a unicum) from which he 
described was in very bad condition, so that the discal point 
may have been wiped off in both anterior wings, and even the 
sex may have been mistaken, as the circumstance of the specimen 
being a unicum prevented dissection. No entomologist likes to 
destroy a unicum. But the characteristic of the palpi distin- 
guishes the species at once and leaves no doubt as to its specific 
distinction. Coloration and markings of the distinguish the 
species from all American Leucarctias, and approach it to an 
East Indian species in our collection, which I received in several 
specimens from the coast of Arracan.. This otherwise very 
distinct species has the same coloration as the oO; 
In regard to its biology, I give here again the words of Mr. 
lL. E. Ricksecker : “June 11, 1891, I found three larve about 
full-grown, similar in general appearance to those of LZ. Acrea 
on a species of Senecio. They commenced spinning cocoons 
June 18, and three males emerged July 18, 1891. June 18, 
1893, I visited the same place, and after a long day’s diligent 
search I had twelve caterpillars. June 15, they commenced 
spinning cocoons; June 20, eight cocoons (the remainder escaped 
from cage); July 5-12, six imagines— 32, 94. ‘T'wo cocoons 
contained parasites. Locality, Sonoma County.” These are the 
notes of Mr. Ricksecker’s journal, 
CALIFORNIA EARTH-WORMS OF THE FAMILY OF 
EUDRILIDA. 
BY GUSTAV EISEN. 
California, although a dry and rainless country for six 
: months in the year, still possesses a varied oligochzetological 
- fauna rich both in species and individuals. The earth-worms— 
angle and rain-worms—burrow deep in the soil during the dry 
and warm months and lie there encysted and closely rolled up in 
clay chambers and waiting for the rain to set in in the autumn. 
