272 FORTT-FOURTH REPORT ON THE StATE MuSEUM 



material excavated was thrown out in a powdery, adherent, irregular 

 mass, presenting a flocculent appearance. Two smaller punctures 

 made with the point of a needle, were also entered by larvae. 



At about the same time, two larvae were observed entering the bean 

 where no puncture had been made to aid them. 



It is possible that they may have been guided and aided by some 

 minute opening, but no fracture or other injury adjacent was discover- 

 able even under a high magnifying power. With the locality known, 

 the points where they had entered could be barely detected with a 

 glass. 



The egg-shells which remain in place are transparent, and entire 

 with the exception of being irregularly broken at the larger end 

 from which the larva escaped. 



The third or fourth brood of the insect. — It was subsequently learned 

 from Dr. Coon that the beans had been in his house for two or three 

 years: from this fact, it is evident that the beetles received were at 

 least the third or fourth brood* that had been produced therefrom. 

 It is probable that but a small portion of the year is required for a 

 generation when the larvae are permitted to feed and develop within 

 doors during the winter months, and this would explain why the 

 beetle is frequently sent to us for name at other seasons than at the 

 time of its normal appearance. 



Oviposition on infested seed. — From the readiness with which the 

 beetles oviposited, as above narrated, the inference may be drawn 

 that it is their habit when confined with the beans, to mate and 

 at once proceed to lay their eggs. Even if the eggs should not 

 be placed within the holes from which the beetles had emerged, the 

 young would enter them and find no difiiculty in penetrating from 

 thence into the solid interior. 



Transformation to the final stage. — Much to my surprise, not long 

 after writing the above (which is allowed to stand as written, although 

 perhaps needing modifications in a few particulars), the completion 

 of the life-cycle, the early stages of which are above noted, was 

 observed by me in season for embodying in the present report. 



Happening to look at the beans early in November, indications were 

 apparent of the recently microscopic larvae having been transformed 

 into the mature insect. The lids of numerous cells were defined and 

 their rims cut in readiness for removal. Raising one of them, on 

 November 6th, a fully matured beetle was drawn from beneath it. 

 Eggs deposited between September 5th and 10th, had given the 



*See remarks beyond on the possible number of broods. 



