130 FORTY-TTIIRD REPORT ON THE StATE MuSEUM. [34] 



by a flow of sap, and in the immediate vicinity an entire absence of 

 vitality of the bai-k. On one of the trees examined, the bark is 

 entirely dead for eight or ten inches above ground to the roots, around 

 three-quarters, or seven-eigliths of the tree, and presents the apj^ear- 

 ance of being rotted by water. In my extremity I have determined 

 to apply soft soap to the body, with the hope of arresting the ravages 

 of the insect, until I can obtain farther light. If my explanation is 

 sufficiently lucid to enable you to form an opinion of the character of 

 the evil existing, please furnish a remedy which will arrest it. 



J. W. M. 

 Pebrowville, Va. 



The insects inclosed are bark beetles, and belong to the tribal 

 group of which the larvae occur under the bark, or in the decayed 

 wood of trees which have long been dead. The perfect insects are 

 generally found in the same situations-, but occasionally they leave 

 their natural abode, and may be captured abroad upon leaves and 

 flowers, as is the habit of the family of Gidelidm, to which the beetles 

 sent belong. Thus Gistela sericea is said to be very common on 

 flowers in Maryland in late summer and autumn. 



The species submitted for identification, and for which a remedy is 

 asked, is the Hymenorus obscurus (Say). There is no record of its 

 being injurious to apple trees or to any other living vegetation, and 

 as the Gistelidce are not known to be obnoxious species, it does not 

 seem at all probable, notwithstanding the suspicious circumstances 

 under which it was found, that it can have been the cause of the 

 injuries to the trees. In all probability the death of the bark for the 

 large space near the roots above mentioned, from some unknown 

 cause, first invited the deposit of the eggs of the beetle, as the decay- 

 ing wood offered suitable food for the larvre^ These subsequently 

 transformed to the perfect insect in the cavities where they were 

 found, and when, of course, under such circumstances, they could do 

 no harm. Some other cause for the impaired condition of the trees 

 must be sought — perhaps other than insect attack. — Country 

 Gentleman. , 



Meloe angusticoUis Say. 



The Oil-Beetle. 



(Ord. Coleoptera: Fam. Meloid.t;.) 

 Meloe ttngufiticollis Say : in Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., iii, 1824, p. 280. 



Some insects feeding on buttercups and also observed on clover 

 were received from Perry, N. Y., with a request for their name and 

 habits. 



