174 [January, 



differences may be found in the triungulins, it is doubtful whether the subsequent 

 developmental stages will indicate specific or even generic differences in species of 

 similar size in these three genera. 



That the eggs of Epicauta may exceptionally hibernate is possible, but, from 

 their delicate nature, improbable. That the triungulins frequently do so there can 

 be no doubt, especially in species like the Black blister-beetle, which is found on the 

 flowers of SoUdago, Eupatorium, etc., till the end of October, and continues laying 

 till frost. I have at the present time many of tliese last that are quietly huddled 

 together, and, with the winter temperature, will doubtless remain so ; while others 

 have worked in between the locust eggs, there evidently to remain without feeding till 

 spring opens. I have also found as many as five triungulins of this species curled 

 up in the deep red mucous matter that surrounds the eggs of (Edipoda phancecoptera 

 — all numb and torpid, and evidently hibernating. 



CONCLUSION. 



From the foregoing history of our commoner blister-beetles, it is clear that 

 while they pass through the curious hypermetamorphoses so characteristic of the 

 family, and have many other features in common, yet Epicauta and Macrobasis 

 differ in many important respects from Meloe and Sitaris, the only genera hitherto 

 fully known biologically. To resume what is known of the larval habits of the 

 family, we have : 



Ist. — The small, smooth, unarmed, tapering triungulin of the prolific Sitaris, with 

 the thoracic joints sub-equal, with strong articulating, tarsal claws on the stout- 

 thighcd but spineless legs, and, in addition, a caudal spinning apparatus. The 

 mandibles scarcely extend beyond the labrum ; the creature seeks the light, and 

 is admirably adapted for adhering to bees but not for burrowing in the ground. 

 The second larva is mellivorous, and the transformations from the coarctate 

 larval stage all take place within the unrent larval skin. 

 2nd. — The more spinous and larger triungulin of the still more prolific Meloe, with 

 long caudal seta;,',but otherwise closely resembling that of Sitaris in the femoral, 

 tarsal and trophal characters, in the sub-equal thoracic joints, in the unarmed 

 tibise, and in the instinctive love of light, and fondness for fastening to bees. 

 The second larva is also mellivorous, but the later transformations take place 

 in the rent and partly shed skins of the second and coarctate larvae. 

 3rd. — The large and much more spinous triungulins of the less prolific Epicattta, 

 Macrobasis, and Ilcnous ; with unequal thoracic joints, powerful mandibles and 

 maxillffi, shortened labrum, slender femora, well-armed tibiae, slender, spine-like 

 less perfect tarsal claws — combined with an instinctive love of darkness and 

 tendency to burrow and hide in the ground. The second larva takes the 

 same food as the first, its skin is almost entirely cast from the coarctate larva, 

 while the subsequent changes are independent and entirely free of the shell of 

 this last. 



Larval Habits of Cantharis. 



The question naturally arises here, whether Cantharis, in its larval habits, will 



most agree with Meloe and Sitaris or with Epicauta. The triungulin, except in 



becoming almost black, has much in common with Meloe, in the sub-equal thoracic 



joints, the toothless mandibles, and the long antennae; also in its habit, observed by 



