992 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



presence at Penfield, Monroe co. Mrs E. B. Smith brought in a speci- 

 men from Coeymans, Albany co., and I took it at Manor, Suffolk co., 

 where it was present in greater numbers than the common asparagus 

 beetle, Crioceris asparagi Linn. The above, in connection with 

 records previously given, is pretty good evidence that this species has 

 already attained a wide distribution in this state. 



Grain beetles in a new role. Last October two insects, which 

 proved to be Silvan u s sunnamensis Lmn. andCathartus 

 gemellatus Duv., were received from C. L. Williams, of Glens Falls, 

 with an inquiry about their habits. In a large collar and cuff factory con- 

 siderable annoyance was occasioned by the appearance of rust-like spots 

 in the lining of the finished products, specially the collars. These two 

 beetles and what appeared to be the partly crushed fragment of a wing 

 cover were all that Mr Williams could find of anything that might be 

 responsible for the trouble. Subsequently spotted examples of such linen 

 were sent to me for inspection. The rusty color was evident on the out- 

 side, and in the lining small rust-colored specks could be seen that under 

 a microscope appeared to be of organic nature. The various processes 

 through which the linen had been put, worked the stain into the corner 

 of the collar and also macerated these bits so effectively that they pre- 

 sented simply the appearance of abraded atoms. Mr Williams states 

 that there is no stain on the cloth before it is made into collars, only here 

 and there a small speck which seems utterly incapable of producing the 

 amount of stain obtained. The trouble occurred over a period of six 

 weeks, during which time dozens of collars were ruined. It seems very 

 possible that these insects occurred in small numbers in the collar linings, 

 atttacted there by the farinaceous matter, and that the stains came from 

 the fragments of their bodies. 



Snakeworm (Sciara species). These remarkable assemblages of 

 S c i a r a larvae are worthy of note, and it was therefore a source of 

 considerable pleasure to receive from C. A. Chamberlain, Franklin, 

 N. Y.) examples of Sciara larvae from one of these peculiar snake-like 

 masses. It is a source of great regret that none of the insects could be 

 carried through to maturity. The specimens were sent under date of 

 July 23 with the following details. The larvae were observed in their 

 peculiar, snake-like formation, crossing a sidewalk from a lawn they had 

 evidently left. They made little headway when separated but progressed 

 very well in the mass, moving from three to four feet an hour. The 

 following additional matter was given in response to queries. The larvae 

 all appeared to come from under stones, as none were found in the grass, 



