insects ancl riddled emptied seeds imparts an unpleasant 

 odour which renders it unsuitable for human food. Where 

 pulses are stored for seed, the damage may have more serious 

 consequences ; for, so much of the food material necessary for 

 development is destroyed that the seeds may not sprout, or, 

 if they do, the seedlings may not thrive. 



Although, as stated, there are a number of different 

 species of these pulse beetles, they all resemble one another 

 greatly in appearance, (Figs. 2 & 3). They are usually about an 

 eighth of an inch long, but some may measure as much as a 

 quarter of an inch. The body is short and stout and con- 

 siderably swollen below. The prothorax is curved down so 

 that the small head is scarcely visible from above. The 

 antennae are more or less toothed in the male. The elytra 

 or wing-covers have parallel grooves in them. They usually 

 stop short of the abdomen of which the hinder portion is 

 therefore more or less conspicuous. The third pair of legs 

 is much enlarged somewhat as in a flea. The abdomen 

 below and wing-covers above are more or less hairy. There 

 are various markings on the wing-covers, which, however, 

 vary both with species and individuals. 



Pachymerus (Bruchi7s) chinensis. 



Of the species found in Mysore attacking stored pulses, 

 P. chinensis is among the commonest. Fig. 4 shows an in- 

 dividual of this species. The markings seen are not, however, 



FiO. 4. — Pachymerus chinensis. 



characteristic of all the forms, which by rearing have been 

 proved to belong to this species. Chittenden in describing 

 the species writes as follows : — 



" The ground colour is dull red, and sometimes more 

 or less variegated with yellow or white pubescence. The 



