AMERICAN HOMOPTERA. 373 



Family LEPIDOSAPHID^, Shimer. 

 Genus LEPIDOSAPHES, Shimer. 

 Lepidosaphes conchiformis, Gmellin sp. 



Coccus conchiforviis, Gmellin, Ed. Syst. Nat. i, 4, 2221. 



Coccus arborum linearis, Modeer, Act. Gothenb. i, 22. Geoff., Ins. Par. i, 509. 

 Reaum., lus. iv, 69, pi. 5, figs. 5—7. Kirby and 

 Spence, Int. Ent. i, 201. Harris, Inj. Ins. (new ed.) 

 252, fig, 96. 

 Coccus Pyriis Malus, Kennicott. 



Diaspis linearis, Costa, Faun. Regn. Nap. Gallinsetti, 21. 

 Aspidiotus conchiformis, Rurieola, Gard. Chron. iii, 735. Fitch, N. Y. Rep. 

 I, p. 31 ; III, p. 13. "Walker, Cat. Homop. B. M. iv, 

 p. 1067. Walsh, Prae. Ent. II, pp. 31, 81. 

 Aspidiotus linearis, Walker, Cat. Homop. B. M. iv, p. 1067. 

 Tarsi with one joint; this joint may be very indistinct — a single primative organic 

 ring — so that the digituli almost appear to sprout directly out of the tibia and with- 

 out ungues, but splitting up into four digituli, which are arranged in their origin sub- 

 quadr angularly. Female living beneath a scale or shell-like habitation of her own 

 constructing and of a coreaceoics consistency ; this shell, or house, increasing in size 

 in a direction opposite to the apex or head at several distinct intervals during the 

 summer ; and laying her eggs beneath this shell, by extruding them from her body, as 

 any other egg-laying insect does. 

 Male unknown. 



The lamented Robert Kennicott, believing this insect to be new, named it 

 Coccus Pyrus Malus. Dr. Fitch assures us that this is identical with that at the 

 East ; of this I am convinced, so far as I can be, by examining the habitations 

 filled with eggs, in the winter and spring time, both East and West. About its 

 being distinct from the European species, I am not able to say anything, hav- 

 ing never visited Europe. Dr. Fitch sent specimens of this Apple Bark-louse 

 to Mr. Curtis, the distinguished English Entomologist, for determination, and 

 in reply, he says, that it is identical with Coccus arborum linearis, Geotfroy. 



Now, in the condition the specimens must have reached Mr. Curtis, he had 

 only the shell or habitation for examination, and, therefore, he could hardly 

 speak understandingly regarding the animal itself; moreover, this opinion does 

 not appear correct, as the C. arborum linearis was described from the Elm. Cer- 

 tainly, if the Elm is the natural food of this insect, it has been badly neglected in 

 this country — a very improbable thing for an insect of this order, to leave the 

 Natural Family Ulmaceoe and locate on a species of the Rosacea, diflering so 

 widely, botanically, as they do. Mr. Curtis assures Dr. Fitch that he is right 

 in placing this insect under the genus Aspidiotus. Could Mr. Curtis judge im- 

 partially by examining mere shells? The recorded observations of Dr. Fitch 

 do not show sufficient research in thQ field, to entitle his opinion to any weight. 

 It is an easy matter to fill pages by collecting the writings and loose observa- 

 tions of irresponsible jjarties, which usually are unreliable, and in the main 

 utterly worthless. The foundations of all correct reasoning and deductions in 



