^'OL. III.] Observations on Cicindelidce. 47 



No stronger argument could be advanced to show how utterly 

 valueless the shell is for the purpose of determining genera. Had 

 this shell been accidentally washed into the creek below and found 

 dead in the water as it was found in the cave, neither Dr. Cooper 

 nor any other naturalist would have hesitated a moment to have 

 described it as a Planorbis, which it closely resembles. 



Even with the animal known, the authorities do not agree on its 

 genera, or its position in our system of classification. 



Mr. Tryon recognized Dr. Cooper's genus Ammonitella, but 

 Mr. Binney, Mr. R. E. C. Stearns and Mr. Pilsbry, equally as good 

 authority, refer the shell to Gonostoma. 



Mr. Binney, than whom there is no better authority on these 

 animals, says of Gonostoma: "Animal, as in Patula." 



Now, if the animal is a Patula, should we not place this shell 

 with or near the genus Patula, instead of separating it as we do 

 now ? 



I do not write this in a spirit of criticism, but to draw attention 

 to what I believe to be an error in our system of classification of 

 these creatures, and which seems to me to be inconsistent with 

 nature and the philosophy she teaches. 



NOTES ON THE CICINDELID.E OBSERVED IN SAN 

 DIEGO COUNTY, CAL. 



BY F. E. BLAISDELL. 



Omus. It is doubtful if any species of Omus occurs south of 

 the 35th parallel. At Port Harford, San Luis Obispo County, I 

 have taken what is probably O. lecontei, and I consider that locality 

 the southern limit of distribution of the genus. 



Cicindela latisionata Lee. Plentiful from May to October, on the 

 ocean beach and alkaline flats; not found about inland streams and 

 ponds. 



Cicindela tenuicinda Schaupp. In company with the preceding- 

 form, with which it is identical. The creation of the present sub- 

 species is ostensibly based upon the elytral markings. In laiisignata 

 there is an excessive increase in the white; while in temdcincta there 

 there is a close approach to the typical pattern as exhibited by vul- 

 garis ' ' the central pattern from which all forms observed in our 

 Cicindeke have been derived, either by a progressive spreading of 

 the white, or its gradual absorption and fragmentation." — -Horn. 



