158 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 
Michigan, sparingly feeding on grass, on which it had also deposited its 
eggs. Later in the season (July 20), at Fort Gratiot, Michigan, I 
encountered it in large numbers, in both the larva and perfect states, in 
the vicinity of potato fields (where it had committed terrible depreda- 
tions), devouring the younger leaves and flower buds of the common 
thistle (Cirsium lanceolatum, Scop.), which it was rapidly stripping even 
to its thick stem so that the entire top of the plant hung down, almost 
severed. Inthe same neighborhood I also saw it on pigweed (Amarantus 
retroflexus L.), hedge mustard ( Sisymbrium officinale Scop.), the cultivated 
oat, smart-weed (Polygonum hydropiper L.), and the red currant and 
tomato of the gardens, as well as the common night-shade (Solanum 
nigrum \.), the last two its more legitimate food. But of the last 
mentioned plants, with the exception of the night-shade, it ate only the 
young leaves, and of them very sparingly. The thistle it seemed par- 
ticularly to relish. Could its attention be diverted from the potato to the 
Canada thistle it would encounter an object worthy of its prowess ; and 
the curses which have been heaped upon its striped back would be turned 
to blessings. But, I fear, little good can be hoped from the capacity, thus 
evinced, to diversify its food, and so accommodate itself to circumstances. 
This can only be regarded as another obstacle in the way of its 
extermination. 
Since writing the above I have found the beetle feeding on the maple- 
leaved goosefoot ( Chenopodium hybridum L.), lamb’s quarters (C. album 
L.), and thoroughwort ( Zupatorium perfoliatum L.); and August 8, 1872, 
I saw it in the larva and perfect states, voraciously eating the black 
henbane (Ayosciamus niger L.), on which was also to be seen an abun- 
dance of the eggs.—HeENRy GILLMAN, Detroit, Michigan, September, 
1872, in American Naturalist. 
Tue ANT-LION.—-While in the Indian Ladder Region, Albany Co., 
N. Y., in August, 1871, I found a large colony of ant-lions. It is situated 
near the head of the “Ladder Road,” at the base of the cliffs and 
extends for several rods along the path to the “‘ Tory House.” The cliffs 
here hang over the paths, so that it is almost impossible for rain to reach 
the spot. The soil is composed of disintegrated limestone, extremely 
fine, but mingled with minute fragments of stone as well as larger 
pebbles. 
In Aug., 1871, the colony numbered rather more than 600 individuals, 
but on July 6, 1872, there were scarcely half that number. Perhaps at 
