100 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Tachys Icevus, Pterostichus patruelis, Platyjius liitulentus and Stenolophus 

 conjunctus ; all except the first quite common under stones and chips — 

 the Pterosticlms and Platy?ius preferring moist places, while the others 

 like to rest under objects which lie on turf. Some water beetles ( Hydroporus 

 modesties and Laccophiltis fasciatus) I have taken in water beneath the ice. 

 What explanation can be advanced to account for their remaining active 

 in such a cold medium when their terrestrial relatives are torpid ? 



Scydmaenus fossiger zxid. basalis may be taken under stones and chips 

 which are resting lightly on turf, in company with Ctenistes piceus, 

 Decarthron abiionne^ and one or two other Pselaphidae. Staphylinidse 

 are the most numerous of all, both in species and individuals, and all of 

 the following species may be taken at any time during the winter : — 

 Pcederus sp., Sunius bhiotatus, S. longiusculus, Falagi'ia venustula 

 Tachyporics hrunneiis, Stilicus afigularis, Diochiis schaumii, OlopJu-uni 

 rohindicolle and two or three species of Stemis, all under stones or chips, 

 some being found also in moss. Scaphidium quadriguttatum I also find 

 in moss during cold weather, and in fact have not met with it at any other 

 time. Our Iowa specimens are the variety cdX\t& piceura. 



Of Phalacridse I always find numerous Olibrus nitidus and O. 

 consimilis, of Corylophid^e Sericoderiis flavidtis, and of Erotylidse 

 Languria jnozardi, all under loose stones and chips, in company with 

 Corticaria piimila. The remaining families appear to be represented 

 more sparingly if we consider the great number of species that some of 

 them contain. 



Cerambycidae have been rarely reported as winter insects, so I was 

 surprised one New Year's Day, six years ago, to come across one of them 

 alive, resting under a stone. Judging from memory alone (for the specimen 

 has gone out of my possession) it was probably Leptostylus aculiferus. 

 Of Chrysomelidae I take occasionally Chrysomela sutiiralis, and also 

 have Mantura floridana down on my list for the year 1886. The only 

 Scarabseid I take is Aphodiiis inquinatus, not a bona fide native of our 

 country, though evidently come to stay. The Tenebrionidse, so charac- 

 teristic of hot and dry climates are represented only by a Paratenetus 

 which, however, is often seen in considerable numbers. A species of 

 Apion and Sphetiophorus parvulus, which are of occasional occurrence, 

 finish the list. 



