OF WASHINGTON. 33 
Messrs. Lugger and Schwarz, regarding the food-habits of Bu- 
prestidas, mainly discussing the question whether the laryaB at- 
tack healthy trees or only such as are diseased or dying, and, 
further, whether they are able to live and finish their transforma- 
tions in dry wood. 
Mr. Smith exhibited a specimen of Pleocoma Behrensi which 
he had received from Utah Territory. This locality is interest- 
ing, since the species of this genus have hitherto been recorded 
only from central California. 
Mr. Smith exhibited a careful drawing of the larva of Apho- 
rista vittata, rrtade from specimens found in October, near 
Washington, feeding on a kind of snow-white mould on the un- 
der side of a log. He gave a description of the full-grown larva 
of this Endomychid beetle,* drawing particular attention to the 
peculiar lateral appendages and the peculiar structure of the hairs. 
Several theories were advanced by the members present to ex- 
plain the nature and function of the lateral appendages in this and 
other Coleopterous larvae, representing several widely different 
families. 
Dr. Riley spoke on the larval habits of Lixus. In 1872 he 
bred Lixus macer from the stems of Chenopodium hybridum, 
the larva boring down the axis of the stem, as usual, and the 
beetle issuing through a circular hole in the side of the stem. Mr. 
F. M. Webster had bred the same species from Helianthus, the 
larva girdling the stem from within at the upper end of the burrow 
and plugging up the girdle with fibre. The beetle then issued 
from the cut end. Another species, Lixus par cus, from Califor- 
nia, is also anomalous, the larva producing a gall on the stems of 
A m el a n ch ier . 
Dr. Riley also called attention to the girdling habits of Pcedisca 
obfuscata Riley, MS., which also issues through the amputated 
end, but in this case the orifice is plugged up with a web spun 
by the larva. 
Mr. Schwarz exhibited specimens of an undescribed Calandrid 
beetle, which is interesting on account of its food-habit, the larva 
and imago having been found by Mr. Hubbard in southern Florida 
* This description is published in full in Entomol. Amer., ii, No. 5, 
August, 1886, pp. 85-87. 
