STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 105 



wrinkled on the back, and curved in a semicircular form when feeding or 

 at rest ; they are generally a little the largest in front, tapering slightly 

 and gradually posteriorly. 



This species in the perfect or beetle state is of a reddish brown color; 

 ■the thorax being quite dark, almost black in some specimens. The head 

 is small, not extending in front of the hood-like thorax. The thorax has 

 the anterior half, especially the frontal slope, covered with spine-like 

 points. The wing-cases are slightly granulated, paler than the thorax ; 

 the tips are suddenly bent downward, and from each, in the males, extends 

 backward a sharp spine ; in the females, instead of the sharp spine is a 

 smooth prominence. 



The under side is a very dark brown color. The length is usually a 

 little over a third of an inch. 



These insects, in the perfect state, gnaw into the twigs of trees, always 

 selecting the axil of a bud or little branch as the point of operations. 

 They generally bore downwards and in the wood of the previous year's 

 growth, but this is not always the case. Although their attacks in this 

 stage appear to be directed chiefly against apple trees, yet they are some- 

 times found depredating on grape-vines, pear, peach, and other trees. It 

 is thought they prefer certain varieties of apples, such as Benoni and Red 

 June, and will not attack the crab, but this has not yet been satisfactorily 

 determined. 



The preparatory states of this species are yet unknown, although they 

 are doubtless similar to those of the following species {^B. basilaris). 

 .There is reason to believe it sometimes, at least, passes its larval state in 

 the grape-vine. I am inclined to think the larva works in hickory ; that 

 it is a borer can not be doubted ; and I have found a larva working in 

 hickory limbs which most certainly belongs to this genus, and does not 

 correspond in its operations to the following, which also bores in the 

 same tree. 



Spec. Char. Imago. — Aritennre dusky red, rather short and slender, terminating in 

 three enlarged and somewhat serrate or rather head-like joints. Dark reddish brown, 

 ahnost black on the thorax. Head small, not advanced beyond the hood of the thorax ; 

 the mouth furnished with a fringe of yellowish hairs. The thorax is suddenly bent 

 down in front and somewhat so behind ; the anterior half, especially the frontal de- 

 clivity, is covered with spine-like points, which next the lateral front angles become 

 recurved spines. The elytra shagreened, paler than the thorax; the shoulders have an 

 external, smooth prominence on them; the tips are suddenly bent or curved downwards, 

 at which point, in the males, extends backwards a sharp spine from each case; in the 

 females a smooth tubercle. The under side is very dark brown. 



Length varies from about one-fourth to a little over three-eighths of an inch ; 

 width about one-third of the length. 



Bostrichus (Sinoxylon) basilaris, Say. 



This species, which is closely related to the preceding, and from 

 which it is chiefly distinguished by the large red spot on the front of the 

 wing-cases, is one of the principal enemies of the .shagbark hickory. But 

 it does not confine its attacks to this species, as it has been found boring, 

 in the grub state, in grape-vines and also the trunks and main branches 

 of apple and peach trees. 



