219 



their varieties. The southern and more numerous species was 

 generally rather larger than our putator, the glabrous tubercules 

 and line on the thorax more distinct (in putatoi' often entirely- 

 wanting) ; but they were especially distinguished by the spines 

 on the antennse, which were much larger, longer and more 

 unequal in length, and by the aculeated tips of the elytra, 

 the outer spine being much longer than the inner, while in 

 putator they are equal. I have always supposed that the 

 greater part of the American insects found in European col- 

 lections in the time of Linnseus, Fabricius and Olivier were 

 obtained from the Middle and Southern Colonies or States ; and 

 am not aware that there were any collectors in New England 

 who transmitted insects to Europe at that time. Hence, in the 

 case of nearly allied species of New England, and of the States 

 farther south, I have considered it more likely that the former 

 would be undescribed than the latter. For such reasons I have 

 •marked the southern Stenocorus above referred to as probably 

 the villosus of Fabr., and the mucronatus of Say ; leaving the 

 putator to Peck alone, though confessing it was possible it 

 might be identical with villosus Fabr. I cannot believe that 

 I have mistaken Peck's insect, having raised numerous speci- 

 mens from the larvae found in the cut-off branches of the oak. 

 I have one of these original specimens still left, and will send 

 it to you if you want it. Your description of mucronatum 

 applies best to the southern species, which is not found in Mas- 

 sachusetts. Your villosum, to which you refer putator as a 

 synonym, seems to be our Massachusetts insect. But are not 

 villosus Fabr., and mucronatus Say identical? Please look into 

 Fabricius again and see what he says of his villosus. 



