124 INSECUTOR INSCITI^ MENSTRUUS 



great deal of trouble ; but we are now able to solve the mystery 

 and correct the synonymy of this species. 



In the monograph (pp. 618, 631, 634, and 637) we give 

 differences in the male genitalia, stating that in curriei and 

 onondagensis the stem of the harpago is slender, but stout in 

 quaylei. It does so appear in the old slides of quaylei, one from 

 Oakland, California, June 34, 1903 (I. McCracken), another 

 from Tacoma, Washington, August, 1906 (Dyar & Caudell) ; 

 but these have been strongly pressed. In a fresh preparation 

 from Atherton, San Mateo County, California (L. Mc- 

 Roberts), which has not been pressed, the difference is not 

 appreciable. The two pressed slides were prepared by Mr. 

 H. S. Barber, while all the rest, except one onondagensis, which 

 was prepared by Mr. O. A. Johannsen, were made by the 

 junior author. The supposed specific character of quaylei is 

 therefore due to the method of preparation. 



There is some variation in the comb-scales of the larva, 

 which might mislead the inexperienced. The free margin of 

 the scale is drawn out into a series of teeth, those at the tip 

 longest. Usually there are a number of subequal teeth at the 

 tip ; however, sometimes there is a distinctly longer one in the 

 middle, but without structural difference. In the type that we 

 define as having a "differentiated median tooth," the tip of the 

 scale is drawn out to a long spine, while on each side there is a 

 marginal row of cilia. In all the larvae of curriei we have ex- 

 amined, rows of minute spicules are present on the skin. They 

 vary considerably in abundance and can only be detected under 

 high magnification. 



Acdes curriei thus constitutes but a single species ranging 

 over most of the United States. The other names cited are 

 based upon illusory differences and will become synonyms. 

 The stronghold" of the species is in the western plains and the 

 desert country of Utah, Nevada, and eastern California; but it 

 penetrates to all the coasts, having been taken on the coast of 

 New England and on the Gulf of Mexico. It has been taken 

 near Chicago, and is probably scattered through open country 

 here and there, finding a local abundance in favorably situated 

 tidal pools. Tt does not occur in forested country, which 



