28 BEANS. [1900 



representations of legs are stated to be moulted as soon as the grub 

 enters the seed. 



The point of the larva sometimes living as a miner in the Pea pod, 

 unless the seed is nearly grown, is of very considerable interest ; and 

 so is that of the point of entrance of the newly-hatched maggot into 

 the Pea seed (although it soon heals over) leaving a speck on the side 

 of the seed as a mark of the entrance. 



All who have carefully examined our own infested Broad Beans 

 can hardly have failed to notice little dark specks, and, though I am 

 not aware of the above-named reason for these dark dots on the Broad 

 Beans having been given from observation, I have conjectured that 

 they, as well as the round depressed bit of skin at the end of the 

 tunnels, might be taken as a sign of infestation. 



It is somewhat curious, and a matter perhaps worth attention, that, 

 although B. fabie, Eiley, — at one time known as B. ohohtus. Say, and 

 now as B. obttctus. Say, — is so well-known as the Broad Bean-seed 

 Beetle of America, and also is injurious in South Africa, we do not 

 appear to be troubled with it here. 



This beetle is from about a tenth to a sixth of an inch in length, 

 slightly shining, blackish, with tine ashy or ashy brown down. Thorax 

 much narrowed before, with a slight impressed dorsal line, and (in my 

 South African specimens) the pubescence is closer, and forms a pale 

 longitudinal line in the centre. The scutellum nearly square, lightish, 

 longitudinally divided by a dusky line. Wing-cases finely and closely 

 punctured, with ten impressed rows of larger punctures on each — the 

 lines between the interstices having a slight appearance of alternating 

 whitish and dusky — and three indistinct transverse marks (see figure, 

 p. 29) produced by a paucity or absence of the pubescence. Sides and 

 apex of the abdomen and pygidium dull red. The legs entirely dull 

 red, with the exception of the posterior thighs, which are black on the 

 under side, and have a small acute tooth near the apex. 



The above description is taken in part from that of Say, but chiefly 

 from that of Mr. 0. E. Janson" of my own specimens, forwarded, 

 together with maggots and infested Beans, from Port Elizabeth. South 

 Africa. At that time we were not able to identify the species of Bnichus 

 with certainty, and I therefore merely noted it as tniwh resembling 

 B. stibannattts, Gyll. Subsequently, however, in the course of much 

 correspondence between the late Dr. J. A. Lintner, Mr. Janson, and 

 myself, it appeared from type specimens submitted for comparison 

 with our South African Bruchi to Mr. Janson, that these were without 

 doubt of B.fabte, Riley, now known as B. obtectiis, Say.f 



• See ' Notes and Descriptions of a Few Injurious Farm and Fruit Insects of 

 South Africa,' by Eleanor A. Ormerod. with descriptions and identifications by 

 Oliver E. Janson. F.E.S.. pp. "23. '24 : ISSiL 



t See • Insect Life,' vol. vii. No. 5, p. 419 ; Washington, 1S95. 



