Vol. Xxix] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 13 



The relative prominence of the canthi cannot be relied upon 

 for taxonomical purposes. The majority of the specimens 

 have the anterior canthi slightly less prominent than the pos- 

 terior ; in a few specimens the anterior are most prominent. 

 Bilateral asymmetry is occasionally observed. 



The smallest specimen has the following dimensions : 

 Length, 9.5 mm.; width, 4.3 mm. ( $ ). The largest specimen 

 measures: Length. 14.0 mm.; width, 6.5 mm. ( $ ). 



It is probable that the subpnbcsccns group includes a num- 

 ber of geographical forms that may be described as species 

 or races when studied in large series. Each species and race 

 will have a varying number of intraspecific variants, which 

 should be grouped as formac. This is imperative and practi- 

 cal. If not, the continuous founding of so-called species upon 

 these intraspecific variants will in time clog our lists with 

 useless synonyms. There is a crying need for conservatism. 

 In the majority of cases the characters used to define a species 

 have no more value than the variation of the malar promi- 

 nences, nose, ears, etc., as specific or varietal taxonomical char- 

 acters in human beings. 



Montana is as distinct a species as can be found in the snb- 

 pube.sccns group. Canonic a Casey is only a narrower form of 

 inojitaiHt. and thus far observed in the north, namely: in 

 northern California and southern Oregon. Montana is very 

 closely related to sitbpnbesccns, and when followed southward 

 along the Coast Range of mountains graduallv becomes indis- 

 tinguishable from subpubcsccns, as observed in Marin County, 

 California. 



The epistomal sinus is usually subtriangular, but occasion- 

 ally it becomes broader, less deep and arcuately emarginate. 

 Two specimens from Del Norte County agree in every wav 

 with those from Eldorado County, except that the pubescence 

 is shorter and therefore less conspicuous. 



In two specimens from Dutch Flat, Placer County, the 

 suture between the episternum and epimeron of the meso- 

 sternum is completely obliterated ; the two side pieces appearing 

 as one. The specimens are more stronglv convex transversely. 

 more oblong, with finer pubescence which is not as long as 



