60 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



recently brought back from northern Iowa by Prof. B. Shimek. 

 Adding to the records thus established, a few others gathered 

 from various sources, I present the following note, showing the 

 distribution of the genus within the state as far as ascertained: 



Eleodes suturalis Say. Taken in Lyon Co. (June) by Pro- 

 fessor Shimek. Western Iowa (Professor Macbride). 



Eleodes tricostata Say. This has been taken at Ames, by Pro- 

 fessor Osborn, while Professor Shimek has given me specimens 

 from Lyon Co. (June); eastern Emmet Co. (August); southern 

 Dickinson Co. (August), and eastern Woodbury Co. (Septem- 

 ber). It extends as far east as Independence, Buchanan Co., 

 where I found it in September, on a broad, dry sand- flat, along 

 the Wapsipinicon bottom. 



Eleodes opaca Say. From Lyon Co. , June, Professor Shimek. 



As far as my information goes it indicates that the habits of 

 the Iowa specimens do not differ from those of western forms. 

 The beetles are to be seen walking about on roads or other 

 open spots in the cool of morning, and again towards evening. 

 The heat of day drives them to shelter. 



THE SCYDMvENID^ AND PSELAPHID^ OCCURRING 

 NEAR IOWA CITY, IOWA. 



BY H. F. WICKHAM. 



The minute beetles belonging to the above families have 

 been much neglected by collectors, although their many pecu- 

 liarities of habit and structure make them well worthy of atten- 

 tion. For three years past my wife and I have collected them 

 systematically in this vicinity, with the result of very largely 

 increasing the list of species known to occur here. 



They seem to be most numerous in the spring, though some 

 may be found during the summer months and many in the 

 autumn, or even throughout the winter. Remarks on the situ- 

 ations most favored by them will be found in the proper places. 

 The classification is that used by Capt. Thos. L. Casey, in his 

 recent papers on the subject. Great assistance in their study 

 has been rendered me by Captain Casey and by the Rev. P. 

 Jerome Schmitt. 



FAMILY SCYDM^NID^. 



Euconnus bicolor Lee. Our most abundant species, at times 

 swarming in swampy spots along streams where debris has 



