V 



95 



I have but one specimen of my 864, Mycetophagus jlexuosus 

 Sav. In this there are only three joints to the anterior tarsus ; 

 the first and third are of equal length, the second half as 

 long : the first not much dilated. My other specimen is glued 

 upon card, and the number of tarsal johits are not distinguish- 

 able perfectly, but as near as I can ascertain, there appear to be 

 fourin all the tarsi. 



In consequence of Major Leconte's advice, I have about re- 

 solved to republish my descriptions of insects, and add one or 

 two hundred new ones to them, in Silliman's Journal, the only 

 scientific Journal (to our shame be it spoken !) now existing in 

 the United States. 



HENTZ TO HARRIS. 



University of N. C, April 15, 1830. 



On my 604 [= " Orsodacna vittata Say ?" Hentz mss. Catal.] 

 I can now give you farther information. I found hundreds of 

 them this season early in March, on the blossoms of the wild 

 plum. The $ is sometimes of the same size and markings 

 as the 9 ; but most commonly it is much smaller, and some- 

 times little more than half the size of the other sex. The 9 

 varies also in size, though not so much. I am nearly convinced 

 that Say's Orsodacna hepatica is the same insect with his vittata. 

 It is difficult to hit on the right spot and time to find that in- 

 sect, but when you do, there is no difficulty in collecting 

 myriads. I cannot account for meeting with them formerly m 

 mid-winter in numbers and copulating, when there was no 

 vegetation ; but this season I became convinced that they are 

 not only found on leaves, but derive nourishment from blos- 

 soms. Both sexes vary in color and markings almost infinitely, 

 though I think particularly the $. The thorax varies from 

 ferruginous to black ; the elytra from pale testaceous to black. 



