158 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Michigan, sparingly feeding on grass, on which it had also deposited its 

 eggs. Later in the season (July 20), at Fort Gratiot, Michigan, I 

 encountered it in large numbers, in both the larva and perfect states, in 

 the vicinity of potato fields (where it had committed terrible depreda- 

 tions), devouring the younger leaves and flower buds of the common 

 thistle (Cirsium lanceolalum, Scop.), which it was rapidly stripping even 

 to its thick stem so that the entire top of the plant hung down, almost 

 severed. In the same neighborhood I also saw it on pigweed ( Amarantus 

 retrqflexus L.), hedge mustard (Sisymbrium officinale Scop.), the cultivated 

 oat, smart-weed (Polygonum hydropiper L.), and the red currant and 

 tomato of the gardens, as well as the common night-shade (Solatium 

 nigrum L.), the last two its more legitimate food. But of the last 

 mentioned plants, with the exception of the night-shade, it ate only the 

 young leaves, and of them very sparingly. The thistle it seemed par- 

 ticularly to relish. Could its attention be diverted from the potato to the 

 Canada thistle it would encounter an object worthy of its prowess ; and 

 the curses which have been heaped upon its striped back would be turned 

 to blessings. But, I fear, little good can be hoped from the capacity, thus 

 evinced, to diversify its food, and so accommodate itself to circumstances. 

 This can only be regarded as another obstacle in the way of its 

 extermination. 



Since writing the above I have found the beetle feeding on the maple- 

 leaved goosefoot ( Chenopodium hybrid um L.), lamb's quarters ( C. album 

 L.), and thoroughwort ( Eupatorium perfoliatiim L.) ; and August 8, 1872, 

 I saw it in the larva and perfect states, voraciously eating the black 

 henbane ( Hyosciamus niger L.), on which was also to be seen an abun- 

 dance of the eggs. — Henry Gillman, Detroit, Michigan, September, 

 1872, in American Naturalist. 



The Ant-lion. — While in the Indian Ladder Pvegion, Albany Co., 

 N. Y., in August, 1871, 1 found a large colony of ant-lions. It is situated 

 near the head of the " Ladder Road," at the base of the cliffs and 

 extends for several rods along the path to the " Tory House." The cliffs 

 here hang over the paths, so that it is almost impossible for rain to. reach 

 the spot. The soil is composed of disintegrated limestone, extremely 

 fine, but mingled with minute fragments of stone as well as larger 

 pebbles. 



In Aug., 187 1, the colony numbered rather more than 600 individuals, 

 but on July 6, 1872, there were scarcely half that number. Perhaps at 





