Leng: Nut and Acorn Weevils S3 



annual-fruited oaks extend; they feed on a variety of oaks grow- 

 ing in a variety of climates ; some may pupate in a year, others 

 in two ; the various forms may cross and produce hybrids ; they 

 are exposed, in short, to such varied environment and conditions 

 that uniformity in the structure and maculation of the adults is 

 not to be expected. But I am not willing to admit that the 

 minor differences observed in such indicate species in the sense 

 that we regard the hazel and the hickory weevils as distinct 

 species. I am not prepared to say what the effect of each 

 environmental influence has been on the adults ; and it Avould 

 require long investigation to demonstrate the conditions, for 

 instance, that caused the Hamilton conftisor and the Chittenden 

 haculi to differ uniformly in color as apparently they do. I 

 am content to follow Hamilton in separating the eastern confusor 

 from the western imifornus, particularly as his name expresses 

 the confusion that exists. Leconte's name uniformis is almost 

 sarcastic, when applied to a group remarkable for its lack of 

 uniformity. But beyond Hamilton's division one cannot safely 

 go without qualifying the names as subspecies or varieties. 

 The result of this treatment of the names proposed will be : 



1. The larger chestnut weevil will be known as Balaninus 

 proboscideits Fab. with caryatrypes Boh., sayi Gyll., hariolus and 

 cylindricoUis Casey as synonyms or feeble varieties. 



2. The smaller chestnut weevil will be B. algonquinus Casey, 

 with three other names as synonyms or feeble varieties. 



3. The hickory weevil will be B. caryae Horn. 



4. The straight-beaked acorn weevil will be B. rectus Say, 

 with quercus Horn and orthorhynchus Chitt. as synonyms. 



5. The arcuate-beaked acorn weevil- will be B. nasicus Say, 

 those with beaks shorter than the body in both sexes subtracted. 



6. The hazel weevil may be B. rostratus Gyll., with the pre- 

 occupied nasutus Say and Blanchard's obftisiis as synonyms. 



7. The short-beaked acorn weevils will be known as B. con- 

 fusor Hamilton, with Jiumeralis Casey as southern variety, haculi 

 Chitt. as dark gray variety, pardalis Chitt. as spotted variety, and 



