28 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, 



extends from San Diego and Yuma in California northward to 

 the head-waters of the Yellowstone, passing through about all 

 possible varieties of climate and habitat, from sea-coast to 'moun- 

 tain. On the other hand hirticollis occurs from Hudson's Bay 

 to Arizona without variation, and the specimens of lepida from 

 the New Jersey shore are not separable from those found in Ne- 

 braska. It seems hardly possible to make any generalizations 

 on the subject. Doubtless the coast species vary to a greater 

 extent taking them collectively than do the inland species, but it 

 is impossible to go further in speculation as too many exceptions 

 arise on all sides. 



The subject of variation might be considered at much greater 

 length with profit and more fully illustrated, but the desire to 

 bring the article within NEWS limits has caused me to be brief. 



The figures have been drawn to illustrate markings only, and 

 no regard has been had to the form of the elytra, which varies 

 considerably, and would introduce an element not pertinent at 

 this time. 



Should the method of thought which gave rise to the preceding 

 remarks produce in some others thoughts as to the possibilities 

 of variation, not only in color, but almost equally in form and 

 sculpture there would be less 'synonymy to be corrected and a 

 more truly scientific basis established for species. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE. 



i. C. vulgaris 10. C. marginipennis 



2 . C. generosa 1 1 . C. Hentzii 



3. C. generosa 12. C. sexguttata 



4. C. pamphila 13. C. h&morrhagia 



5. C. limbata || 14. C. splendida 



6. C. togata 15. C. imperfecta 



7. C. gratiosa 1 6. C. lemniscata 

 8. C. canosa 17. C. Gabbii 



9. C. tenuisignata 18. C. Saulcyi 



A writer in Engineering says "that in sinking plumb lines down shafts 

 the accuracy of the work is often seriously impaired by spiders attaching 

 their webs to the lines and drawing them toward the walls, often with 

 sufficient tension to introduce material errors in the position of the plumb 

 bobs." 



