2o6 SECOND REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



sixth segment), while low down on the side of the body are the anal 

 valves, rounded and small compared with the tergite. Tenaculum [the 

 catch for holding the spring] with basal joints quadrate in profile, the 

 external edge being a little roughened. From between them project 

 V-like a pair of short, subtriangular blades, a little longer than broad, 

 and with four large teeth on the under side. Elater [the spring] short 

 and broad, the two finger-shaped joints about twice as long as thick; 

 second joint very minute, consisting of a thin lobe rounded at tip and a 

 little uneven on lower edge, and with a prominent spine at base; two 

 hairs on inside of basal joints. Dark lead color, above and beneath. 

 Body long and slender, abdomen rather suddenly contracting just before 

 the three terminal segments. 



Length, 0.08-0.10 inch. 



Hundreds of specimens seen with no appreciable variations. Very 

 young, white. 



On snow in March; under bark of trees. Salem, May 28 and June 6. 

 (Packard: in ^th Rept. Peab. Acad. Sci.) 



Associated Species. 



The following named features will serve to separate the above from 

 the other described species: 



Achorutes boletivorus Packard, is a much smaller species, being only 

 about one-half the size (0.05-0.07 inch) with a thicker body, smaller head 

 proportionately, and shorter antennae. It differs materially in color, be- 

 ing pale gray above with a slight greenish tinge, lined with white beneath, 

 and with gray specks on the sides. 



Occurring September 10, abundantly between lamellce of Boleti and 

 Agaricus, and under horse manure in August. 



Achorutes pratonim Packard. Resembling A. nhncola, but smaller 

 (0.04-0.06 inch), of a considerably lighter lead color, paler beneath, and 

 with a lateral row of dark irregular spots, one to each segment. The hairs 

 upon the body are more numerous. Its spring (elater) is much longer 

 and more slender, the second joint long, slender, cylindrical, distinctly 

 separated from the base by a suture; the third and terminal joints much 

 longer and more slender. It occurs on the surface of pools, and in 

 open grounds after rains, and is quite active in its habits. July and 

 September. 



Achorutes marmoratus Packard. Approaches the preceding in form 

 of body and of the spring. It is of a pale gray color, marbled with large 

 lilac-gray patches above; beneath paler. Length 0.05 inch. 



Achorutes Texensis Packard. A small species (0.04-0.05 inch), occur- 

 ring in Texas, of the same color with A. nhncola, resembling A. prato- 

 ruiii in structure, but with its spring twice as large as in that species. 



The Family of Poduridae. 



The Poduridce, from their degraded structure, form one of the lower 

 classes of insects. By most writers, they have been classed with, and 



