140 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 
certain horny processes between it and the mesothorax, or against the 
base of the elytra. It is not so generally known, however, that the above 
named insect forms a decided exception to the rule. This speciés is a 
true fiddler, stridulating like the Orthopterous Zocustide by rubbing the _ 
hind femora against the elytra. Ifa specimen be carefully examined, the 
inside of these femora will be found raspéd from the base to near the tip, 
by a number of short longitudinal ridges, which, when played against the 
thin and sharp emarginations of the elytra, produce the rather loud 
creaking so peculiar to this beetle. ; 
I cannot recall any author who has published this fact, though as 
Prionus coriarius is called “the fiddler,’ in Germany, that species may 
stridulate in the same manner.—C. V. Rirev, St. Louis, July 9, 1872. 
P.S.-—Prionus imbricornis Linn. (1. e., the dark brown form which, I 
believe, is labeled od/iguicornis in Le Conte’s collection), likewise stridu- 
lates by rubbing the hind femora against the lateral edges of the elytra. 
But as the thigh in this species does not reach as far above the wing- 
cover as does that of Orthosoma cylindricum,we find no rasp on the inside, 
which is perfectly smooth ; and the noise is produced by the friction of ~ 
the inner lower margin, principally near the end of the thigh, where it is 
shghtly dilated.—C.V.R. ; 
INSECTS IN PENNSYIVANIA. The Seventeen-year Locusts, as they are 
called, have made their appearance here and in the vicinity. Here; very 
abundantly, but diminish in numbers at Jersey Shore and Lock Haven: 
Further westward, I saw none. In the stage from the depot to Jersey 
Shore, I listened to an exposition by a physician! on the poisonous 
qualities of the insect in question, of the existence of which quality he 
was quite assured. ‘The lady, however, who was his inquisitor, thought 
it strange if the “locusts” were really so poisonous, that the children, 
who handled them freely, were not more frequently poisoned. The 
doctor got over this by assuring the lady that they were not “aggressive.” 
Popular report gives the year 1865 as that of their last appearance, but 
this is not very reliable authority. 
So far as intervals of business allow mie to judge, I should say that 
insect life is not abundant in North-western Pennsylvania this year, An 
Argynnis observed at Ridgway,nearly at the summit of the Alleghanies, in 
considerable abundance. Have not yet determined the species. Czcin: 
dele, principally repanda, 12 guttata, with a few purpurea, found on the 
banks of the Susquehanna from Schickshinny downwards. —W. W. 
ANDREWS, Williamsport, Pa., June, 1872. 
