345 



The cocoon differs greatly from that of 5". Cecropia. It is much 

 smaller, and of a more regular form. It is dark brown, approaching 

 black in some places, with silvery spots, instead of uniformly light 

 brown. The inner and outer cocoons are so closely woven together, 

 except at the very top, as to be sepai-ated with difficulty ; while in S. 

 Cecropia they are separated by cjuite a space filled with loose silk. 



It seems to differ also in habits ; preferring the plants of boggy or 

 swampy lands, instead of those of cultivated or high lands. 



Two species of parasites, both of them ichneumons, were raised from 

 the cocoons of this moth. Of the first, about fifteen appeared from one 

 cocoon, May 21 and 22. They escaped by gnawing small round holes 

 through the sides of the cocoon ; several escaping through one hole. 

 These expanded about four-tenths of an inch. The other species ap- 

 peared from June 19 to July 10. They escaped from the upper end 

 of the cocoons, apparently without gnawing the outer coat. They ex- 

 panded about eight-tenths of an inch. 



Notes on two Ichneumons parasitic on Samia Columbia. 

 By a. S. Packard, Jun. 



Most of the cocoons of this fine moth were found by Mr. Smith to 

 be ichneumoned. The parasites were not only hatched out alive, but, 

 upon cutting into cocoons apparently free from their attacks, the Samia 

 pupa was found to be missing, and the cocoon crowded with those of 

 the Cryptus parasite. They were half an inch in length, being long 

 and slender ; consisting of an outer tough parchment-like case, and an 

 inner much more delicate one. They were about forty in number, 

 and arranged longitudinally, with their anterior extremities directed 

 toward the opening for the exit of the moth itself. Many of the para- 

 sites had escaped thi'ough the natural exit ; others, which had hatched 

 from cocoons situated far back, unable to force their way forwards, had 

 mostly died while attempting to bore their way thi'Ough the extremely 

 dense cocoon of the moth. 



No differences could be perceived between the cocoons, though 

 belonging to two quite distinct species. 



Cryptus sami^ (n. sp.). 



cf The head, thorax, and four terminal joints of the abdomen are 

 black ; and the whole surface of the body is finely punctate, especially 

 on the head and thorax. Antenna : two basal joints black ; the re- 

 mainder pale brown, especially so toward the tip ; while, on the upper 

 side of the basal half, they are black ; palpi very pale, almost prui- 

 nose ; the terminal joint much darker. Legs reddish testaceous ; coxa 

 of first and second pairs very pale, concolorous with the tarsi ; fore 

 trochanters, black; middle pair reddish testaceous, with a black dot 



