THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 115 



easily known ; the other is gray with indeterminate whitish, and requires 

 care to distinguish it ; the most certain mark being the granular punc- 

 tuation at the sides of the thorax, no other species that resembles it having 

 this form of punctuation. Very few of the species of this genus can be 

 satisfactorily determined from the Synopsis, and to Dr. Horn I am indebted 

 for rendering the identity of the ones treated of certain. 



Magdalis Lecontei Horn. The original describer gives its distribution 

 as from Kansas to California and Oregon. To it has been referred a blue 

 or blackish green species, much smaller (.15 to .18 inch.) found here, and 

 of which I have' specimens from Eastern Pennsylvania and Canada. While 

 agreeing in having simple claws, non-serrate thorax and dentate femora, a 

 comparison of the two forms shows them to be different. The western 

 form has the back longer and more polished, the thorax more finely punc- 

 tured, the elytral strige finer, flat, the intervals broad, finely transversely 

 rugulose with a very distinct row of punctures down the centre of each ; 

 (length, .20 to .25 inch.) The other has the striae wider and more coarsely 

 punctured, the intervals semi-convex, narrow, coarsely rugose, and the 

 row of punctures nearly obsolete. 



Another form with blue elytra occurs on spruce, of which I have seen 

 but one specimen taken here. The thorax is canaliculate and the hind 

 angles more explanate than in Lecontei. 



A quick inetJiod of cleaning greasy Coleoptera, etc. Lately I have em- 

 ployed the following method with the happiest results. It may be old and 

 well known, but I do not remember to have seen it suggested. Dip the 

 insect one half to one minute in spirits of ammonia (Liquor ammonise), 

 wash in water (the hotter the better), and the thing is done. Offensive 

 beetles Hke Trox, Silp/ia, etc., can be cleaned and purified instantly. 

 How far the ammonia may be employed in cleaning Lepidoptera and 

 other insects I do not know, but it renewed the beauty of two very greasy 

 specimens of Cossus Centerensis. 



This hquid also dissolves the verdigris that forms on the pins passed 

 through insects ; but the insect must remain longer in the ammonia and 

 be more carefully washed. 



