150 JVoxioKS bisects. [Sept., 



yet no sound has ever been observed to issue from it. The species 



is the 



Airopos pulsatorius (Linn.), Leach. The largest individuals 

 (females?) are of a dull white color, the head lioney-yellow, 

 and the eyes red. The abdomen is broad, oval, conspicu- 

 ously broader than the head, its sides convex, and its tip ap- 

 proaching to an acute point. Length about 0.08. This is 

 the form which has commonly been described by authors. 



Smaller specimens (males?) are of a pale. brownish hue, 

 the head light fulvous, and the eyes black. In these the ab- 

 domen is scarcely broader than the head, with its opposite 

 sides nearly parallel, and its apex rounded and obtuse. 

 Length about 0.0f5. This would seem to be what the old 

 writers described as a distinct species, under the name of 

 Termes divinatorium. 



Specimens but half grown (larvjc) are of a shining milk- 

 white color, the eyes black, and the labrum of a fulvous 

 tinge. 



On Wheat Heads, Straw, Grain, and Flour, in the Field, 



Barn, and Mill. 



Jln active, minute, dark-brown louse, commonly having wings. 



The Wheat Louse. 



This minute insect has occurred to my notice in the following 

 situations; at the time of wheat harvest, upon the straw and 

 heads of wheat; in the wheat mow and upon the threshing floor 

 in autumn; in bins of wheat and upon the exposed surlace of 

 newly ground flour standing in barrels, in mills, so late in the 

 season as the latter part of November, though more abundant ear- 

 lier. In all of these situations it has been met with, at times, in 

 immense numbers. What is its particular noiu'ishment, is not 

 known. From the dexterity with which a live specimen, gum- 

 med to a slip of paper, essayed to gnaw and tear away with its 

 tiny jaws the surface on which it was confined, it was apparent 

 that it was well accustomed to the use of these instruments. 

 Some authors suppose the insects of this genus to subsist upon 

 decaying vegetable matter; others that they live upon minute 

 animalcule. Neither of these opinions would seem to be correct 

 as regards this species, from the fact that it is attracted in num- 

 bers to the surface of flour when exposed — a situation where it is 

 not probable that either animalculffi or decaying vegetable matters 

 abound. Being so abundant upon wheat, both in the field, in the 

 barn, and at the mill, it merits a notice here, although we know 

 not as yet that it is in any wise injurious to the grain or flour. 

 I suspect it to be this insect which Dr. Harris, from Mrs. Gage's 



