APPENDIX. 261 
wards carefully observed. I have made frequent appeals, but have met with no re- 
sponse either inside or outside of the;Commission on Forests. 
P. annectens Lec., found in Floridatin yellow pine, resembles in sculpture ramulorum, 
and agrees with Fitch’s description of 34 in having the elytral punctures arranged in 
rows, and the sutural angle acute. It may really be the same as your 34, but as the 
localities are so widely apart, and the food tree different, [ am unwilling to express a 
positive opinion until I can compare the specimens. I returned as you requested all 
that you sent, and I have from you in my collection no other Scolytide than the 
Crypturgus recently received. Perhaps you could get a type of Fitch’s pusillus. Ifso 
it would solve all the difficulties. 
Please let your collectors know that in Scolytid:e there is no benefit derived from 
the study of single specimens. They must be collected in numbers that both sexes 
may be obtained. As they are always abundant when found there is no difficulty in 
getting specimens enough. 
Very sincerely, 
J. L. LECONTE. 
New York, December 12, 1881. 
My Dear Dr. PackarD: * * * 
Sciapteron robiniw Hy. Edw. is extremely destructive in California and Nevada to 
the white poplar (Populus alba) and to the downy poplar (Populus canescens), both 
of these species being introduced into the Pacific States as ornamental trees. A small 
avenue of the latter at San Leandro, near San Francisco, was utterly destroyed by 
the Sciapteron, the pupa cases being found sticking out of the holes in hundreds. 
The perfect insect was rather scarce, as they emerge very early in the morning, and 
take flight with the first gleam of sunshine. Sciap. robinie also destroys the locust 
trees (Robinia pseudoacacia), a grove of this species in Napa County being observed 
by me in a state bordering upon destruction from the attacks of this insect. 
Sciapteron syringe (Trochilium syringe Harris) has been found to be a pest to ash 
trees in Brooklyn, N. Y. Some observations upon this and other species of digeride 
will shortly be published by Rey. G. D. Hulst. 
Bembecia sequoie Hy. Edw. is devastating the pine forests of Mendocino County, 
California, and is particularly destructive to Sequoia sempervirens, Pinus ponderosa, and 
Pinus Lambertiana. The eggs appear to be laid in the axils of the branches, the 
young caterpillar boring in a tortuous manner about its retreat, thus diverting the 
flow of the sap, and causing large resinous nodules to form at the place of its work- 
ings. These gradually harden, the branch beyond them dies, and the tree at last 
succumbs to its insignificant enemies. Hundreds of fine trees in the forests of the 
region indicated are to be seen in various stages of decay. A similar habit seems to 
prevail in the life history of Sciapleron pini Kellicott, a species described by its author 
in the Can. Entom., 1881. ; 
Bembecia marginata (Troch. marginatum Harris) attacks the bushes of various species 
of Rubus. Mr. Hulst has made admirable observations upon this species, and will, I 
hope, soon give them to the world. 
Yours, truly, 
HENRY EDWARDS. 
CAMBRIDGE, November 14, 1881. 
DEAR PROFESSOR PacKARD: Your letter of the 9th instant was duly received- 
Before replying I have waited to get from Dr. Hagen a list of species of insects taken 
by me last September on the highest peak of Ktaadn. They were put in spirits and 
handed to Dr. H. without examination on my part. As he has just given me the list 
of all that can interest you in your present inquiries, I will send it with a few words 
of my own. 
