Some New and Interesting Insects. 203 
ART. XIV. — DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME NEW AND INTERESTING 
INSECTS, INHABITING THE UNITED STATES. By Joun L. Le 
Cowrr. Read November 6,1844. . s $ i i 
Tue Scarites subterraneus has long been known to be sub- 
ject to great variations ; but I am not aware that any one has 
attempted a division of this species, on sufficient grounds. 
On comparing a remarkably large specimen from Georgia with 
others from the same locality, I discovered several very evident, 
though apparently slight, differences ; and on continuing the 
examination with numerous specimens from various parts o! 
our republic, I became convinced that no less than six different 
Species have been heretofore confounded under the name of 
Subterraneus. Of these, three are large, and three small. 
The large ones, as far as I am aware, are never found in the 
Eastern or Middle States, and the only two, with the habits of 
which I am acquainted, are invariably found under the bark 
of dead trees, while the small ones live by burrowing in the 
earth, under stones and pieces of wood. This difference in 
habits, conjoined with the variation in size, would, long ago, 
have justified the formation of at least two species, had the 
Science of entomology been cultivated, on this continent, with 
the attention that its'importance merits. , z 
indolence of our entomological observers is the more 
deplorable, as we are few in number, ànd therefore more is to 
> expected from each individual. The field of research is 
still open, and any one who travels in it, with even ordinary 
“are and attention, will not fail, under the numerous stones 
Scattered on its surface, and on the weeds which apparently 
obstruct his path, to discover as fine insects as have ever 
Sraced the cabinet of a Hope or a Dejean. -l trust t iat the 
day is Past, when our insects must be sent to Europe for 
determination, Are we to be bound by the mere dictum of 
Some European entomologist, of equal indolence with our- 
selves, who chooses to name the insects which we have dis- 
covered ? Where should our insects be better known than in 
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