248 California EartJi-Worins. [zoE 



I have very little to add to this description of the insect by 

 Mr. Ricksecker. It is true the description of L. albida by 

 Stretch could be construed into a description of L. Rickseckeri $ . 

 Mr. Stretch states that the specimen (a unicum) from which he 

 described was in very bad condition, so that the discal point 

 may have been wiped off in both anterior wings, and even the 

 sex may have been mistaken, as the circumstance of the specimen 

 being a unicum prevented dissection. No entomologist likes to 

 destroy a unicum. But the characteristic of the palpi distin- 

 guishes the species at once and leaves no doubt as to its specific 

 distinction. Coloration and markings of the 3 distinguish the 

 species from all American Leucarctias, and approach it to an 

 East Indian species in our collection, which I received in several 

 specimens from the coast of Arracan. This otherwise very 

 distinct species has the same coloration as the 9 . 



In regard to its biology, I give here again the words of Mr. 

 L. E. Ricksecker: "June 11, 1891, I found three larvae about 

 full-grown, similar in general appearance to those of L. Aa^cea 

 on a species of Senecio. They commenced spinning cocoons 

 June 18, and three males emerged Jul}' 18, 1891. June 18, 

 1893, I visited the same place, and after a long day's diligent 

 search I had twelve caterpillars. June 15, they commenced 

 spinning cocoons; June 20, eight cocoons (the remainder escaped 

 from cage); July 5-12, six imagines — 6 2, 2 4. Two cocoons 

 contained parasites. Localit5% Sonoma County." These are the 

 notes of Mr. Ricksecker's journal. 



CAIvlFORNIA EARTH-WORMS OF THE FAMILY OF 



EUDRILID.E. 



BY GUSTAV EISEN. 



California, although a dry and rainless country for six 

 months in the year, still possesses a varied oligochaetological 

 fauna rich both in species and individuals. The earth-worms — 

 angle and rain-worms — burrow deep in the soil during the dry 

 and warm months and lie there encysted and closel}' rolled up in 

 clay chambers and waiting for the rain to set in in the autumn. 



