126 



plants infested by this insect in the United States are species of the 

 genus Sebastiana, three in number, viz. S. biocularis, S. palmeri and 

 S. pfinglei, and it is found in California as well as in Mexico. The 

 seeds in which the little grubs live, are about two-fifths of an inch long 

 and subtriangular in shape ; the two fiat sides (where the seeds have 

 pressed against each other in the ovary) forming a wedge, with the outer 

 side rounded. The grub having fed internally upon the seed until 

 nothing but a thin coated cell remains, lines it with silk and uses it as 

 a winter residence. Before pupating it provides a way for it to escape 

 from its prison when it becomes a moth, by partially cutting a circular 

 hole through the wall and arranging an almost invisible trap door which 

 may be readily pushed open from within. You have seen caterpillars 

 lashing their bodies about when disturbed, and it is supposed that the 

 jumping bean is knocked about by similar movements on the part of its 

 inmate, who fastens the posterior extremity of his body firmly to the 

 silken lining, and then dashes his head against the walls By this 

 means the seed may be rolled over or twisted violently around, or, aided 

 by its shape, move about upon aflat surface in an apparently mysterious 

 manner. The first specimen seen by me was one which Mr. Walter 

 Odell kindly brought to me last winter, but it had apparently jumped 

 itself to death. There are known to entomologists, other species of 

 insects which produce similar movements in seeds. A more complete 

 account of the insect may be found in Prof. Lintner's Fourth Report on 

 the Injurious and other Insects of the State of New York, 18S8, pages 

 151-154- Ed. 



NOTE. The Treasurer, Mr. A. G. Kingston (Public Works 

 Department), again requests the attention of members, who have not 

 paid their subscription for the current year, to the clause in the Con- 

 stitution, which enacts that such fees are payable in advance. 



