
April, 1886. ] 
A Deformed Prionus. 
Cyanide’s article in the March O. and O., on a 
deformed Catogenous rufous, reminds me of a re- 
markable specimen of Prionus laticollis, which I 
found near Stamford, Conn., in 1879. 
One side of this beetle showed a strange mal- 
formation, the elytron being one-third smaller 
than the other, with its edge rolled up so the un- 
der wing could be seen. This elytron was of a 
light brown color, as were the legs on this side, 
while the tarsi were short with claws only partly 
formed; the thorax was perfect, and the only de- 
formity to be seen about the head was the right 
antenna, which was of a lighter color than usual 
and quite short, the points being the same in 
number but not so long as they should be. 
This insect was sent to Dr. LeConte, and he 
wrote that it was a very curious deformity, but 
said that he had seen one or two that closely re- 
sembled it. I have found other specics of Cole- 
optera, one a male Lucanus damao with an ab- 
breviated elytron; but I have never seen a speci- 
men that showed so clearly a pupal injury, for I 
can account for this deformity.in no other way, 
except that while in its pupal state it was injured 
in some way just enough to retard its growth on 
one side, while the other completed its  trans- 
formation and became perfect, not only in size 
and shape, but also in color. L. E. H. 
Start a Collection. 

Now that spring is at hand and insects are be- 
coming active, I should advise all to start a col- 
lection. With the instructions contained in the 
article “Practical Entomology,” (in this depart- 
ment,) a little patience and practice, you will be 
surprised at the large number of species of the 
different orders that you will secure before the 
year is out. There is no study more fascinating 
and the love for the science grows upon you 
slowly but surely, as you become accustomed to 
handling your specimens and discover the won- 
derful beauty of many of them, especially when 
examined under a magnifying glass. Of course, 
there are some little drawbacks to the enjoyment, 
but only sufficient to give it a keener relish. But 
it is not alone on account of the pleasure you 
would receive from it that I say ‘‘start a collec- 
tion,” but also the great benefits to be derived 
mentally, morally and physically. It improves 
the memory, sharpens the eyesight (and the ap- 
petite) and gives the needed exercise in its most 
beneficial form. If your habits are sedentary, a 
walk without an object, simply taken as a duty, 
is practically useless. Tlave your mind pleasant- 
ga OST 
61 
ly occupied with something outside of your regu- 
lar business and you will be surprised at the dis- 
tance you can travel without feeling fatigued, 
and a day’s travel in the woods and meadows 
will fill your lungs with a supply of fresh air that 
will last you until your next trip. 
It is surprising to see how little the farmers and 
gardeners, as a rule, know about the habits, food, 
ete., of these little tenants of, their homesteads. 
How few of them seem to know their friends 
from their foes, and consequently kill all alike. I 
have seen a man destroying the Coccinellidse 
(lady bugs), because, as he said, they were killing 
his peach trees. 
shrunken and dried up, but you can. imagine his 
surprise when I showed him that the trees were 
infested with plant lice, which were causing the 
damage, and the lady-bugs had gathered from 
near and far to feast on them. Many insects feed 
on others, and such may be considered friends. 
A little pleasant study will enable any one to 
distinguish between them, and a fine collection 
will be his reward. 
Truly,..the Jeaves were all 
To parents I would say encourage your chil- 
dren to take up this study, for they could not find 
a more harmless and instructive amusement. 
JA We 
The Tarantula or Trap Door Spider. 

This is the largest of our American spiders. 
The male is large, strong, long-legged and com- 
pletely covered with coarse brown hair., The 
palpi are unusually well developed and armed 
with poisonous fangs. Each of the anterior legs 
has a projection on the under side with which to 
hold off an enemy while the fangs are at work 
inserting the poison. He lives in a hole (in the 
ground), with a silken lining and open at the top, 
with the exception of a web during the day. <A 
deserted mole or gopher hole seems to answer his 
purpose as well as anything. About sundown 
he removes his web and rests in the hole with the 
tarsi of the anterior legs just above the surface, 
ready to rush out on some unsuspecting grass- 
hopper or other prey. At this time he is easily 
taken. I have pulled them out with my fingers, 
by seizing the toes quickly, and dropping them 
before they had time to use their fangs. But as 
this is rather a dangerous operation I would not 
recommend it. My usual method was to take a 
lath, cyanide bottle, and a stalk of timothy hay. 
As soon as I found a victim I would carefully ap- 
proach him from the side on which he was rest- 
ing, reach the timothy head just beyond him and 
draw it quickly back. He would immediately 
dart after it and before he discovered his mistake 
