OF WASHINGTON. 63 
like apertures on the dorsal sutures between joints 4-11, and normally quite 
hidden by the telescoping of the joints. The nature of these openings can 
only be speculated upon, as no dissections have yet been made; they may 
be olfactory organs. 
In the paper, " Zur Biologic der Kafergattung Phengodes 111.," by Dr. 
Erich Haase, published in Is is for 1885 (pp. 10-11), the author, without 
referring to Osten Sacken's paper, cites the observations of Dr. Hierony- 
mus, of Cordoba, which first established the relation of the male Phengodes 
with this larva as the female. From a larva received from Missouri in 1883, 
and which was kept for some weeks in a glass jar where it could be seen 
until it reached the pupa state, I had, with Mr. Schwarz, already at that 
time decided that the larva must be referred to Phengodes, though there had 
been no occasion to publish the conclusion, because the specimen had 
unfortunately disappeared during one of my absences, and probably flown 
out as a beetle. The third group consists of the smaller larva from Nevada, 
which may eventually prove to be the young of one of the larger forms, 
though more probably it will prove to belong to some other genus. It is 
less narrowed in front, the head is broader, and the whole body is sparsely 
beset with spinous hair. The color is pale, and the ocellus very conspicuous 
each side, looking almost like a compound eye by virtue of its being placed 
on an irregular black patch. No dorsal spiracular orifices are noticeable. 
So far as the specimens justify any conclusion, the only difference ob- 
servable between the perfect female and the larva is in the more feeble 
mandibles and tarsi of the former. 
A long discussion on various topics connected with this Phen- 
godes matter followed the reading of Dr. Riley's paper. Mr. 
Smith related his experience with one of the luminous larvag 
found at Britain, Conn., and which was kept in captivity for a 
number of weeks ; but it finally died. Mr. Mann spoke on the 
numerous luminous larvas which he found in and around Cam- 
bridge, Mass. Among them he had observed two forms, one 
with blunt, the other with pointed mandibles. A third form, of 
jet-black color, could extinguish their light at will, and there were 
also differences in the anal segment. All were kept in captivity 
for a considerable length of time, but none transformed. Mr. 
Schwarz gave a review of the geographical distribution of the 
North American Phengodini, and related that on one occasion 
he had found in ^lorida, during daytime, 4 or 5 male specimens 
of Phengodes plumosa on one spot among the roots of grasses. 
Mr. Schwarz exhibited samples of small, square rods of naph- 
thaline which, in this form, is known in commerce as "white 
carbon," and used for intensifying the flames of gas-light. The 
