o2 INSECTS AFFECTING STORED PRODUCTS. 
In Central America it is recorded by Gorham from Vera Cruz, 
Mexico, and Belize, Honduras. According to Motschulsky it occurs 
also in Cuba. 
LITERATURE, KNOWN HISTORY, AND HABITS. 
The biologic literature of this species, although it has been known 
for a century, is limited to short notices, usually in connection with 
its technical description or records of its occurrence in new localities. 
It was from seeds and roots imported from India that the species 
was redescribed by Fabricius. Stephens * and others have also re- 
marked that it is found in this manner. Kirby and Spence * wrote of 
this species in 1822 that it fed upon the roots of rhubarb, in which 
it was detected at the East India Company’s warehouses in London. 
Wollaston, writing in 1854,° found this insect in great abundance 
in England in powdered arrowroot, and refers to the record of Lucas * 
of its existence in Algeria “ beneath the bark of Quercus suber and 
Cytisus spinosus.” 
In 1857 Motschulsky * states concerning what is without doubt this 
species, which he calls Apate frumentaria: Nordlinger, that it is very 
common in grain in Egypt, whence it has been introduced into 
Europe, being listed in the Dejean Catalogue under the name A pate 
castanea Ulrich. Incidentally he notes its occurrence in Cuba, and 
states that Dinoderus frumentarius—evidently another synonym— 
was found in a single specimen in a cargo of rice from East India. 
During the years from 1874 to 1879 brief mention was made by 
different persons of the occurrence of this species in wheat and in 
granaries. 
In the year 1882 Dr. C. V. Riley published a note ™ on its occur- 
rence as a museum pest. The previous year it was found at this 
department in insect boxes which had not been used for many years, 
appearing suddenly in large numbers and perforating the paper 
lining and evidently feeding on the cork with which the box was 
lined. The source of this introduction was not ascertained, the 
whole occurrence being designated as a mystery. 
Writing in 1883, Rev. H. S. Gorham ** noted the occurrence of this 
species commonly in wood of sugar casks. 
In the next few years Mr. E. C. Cotes made frequent mention of 
its occurrence in different products in India in Indian Museum 
Notes.°1° It was observed injuring ship’s biscuits, the seed of wheat, 
and “ cholum seed” (Sorghum vulgare). 
OFFICE NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE. 
During the winter of 1880-81 this species appeared in great num- 
bers in a glass-covered insect box in this office, boring into the cork- 
pith hning. This matter has been previously mentioned in referring 
