40 



An inquiry of Dr. Geo. H. Horn elicits the following note and kind permission to 

 use it : — 



" Regarding the two species of Elaphidion (villosum and parallelum) of which you 

 write, I can only say that my opinion, based on the series in my cabinet and an examina- 

 tion of those in the cabinet of Dr. Leconte, is that they are inseparable. The slight 

 differences, referred to by Dr. Leconte, in the last ventral segment of the males, are not 

 real but dependent on the angle at which they are seen." The differences referred to are 

 that in E. villosum the last ventral segment of the male is rounded, while in parallelum 

 it is emarginate. The only other structural difference mentioned by Dr. Leconte is, 



" Prothorax scarcely longer than wide — villosum. 



" Prothorax distinctly longer than wide — parallelum" 



From the insects before me from the hickory, it is easy to pick out some with the 

 thorax fully one-fourth wider than long, and others with it one-fourth longer than wide, 

 but they are brought together so insensibly by intermediates, that where the proper 

 separation into species should begin it is impossible to decide. The same may be said of 

 the differences in elongation, narrowness, and pubescence ; and I can find no basis for 

 retaining parallelum as even a racial or varietal name. 



I trust the foregoing may stimulate such as have opportunity to investigate the 

 habits of this interesting beetle more thoroughly. I mention some of the points that 

 require clearing up. First, the length of time occupied in the metamorphosis of such as 

 breed in the branches of living trees. One year is certainly an error, as it is opposed to 

 the known history of any other Oerambycide having a similar habit. Second, whether 

 the falling of the limb is not accidental, the majority containing larvae not being weakened 

 enough to break. Third, whether the end of the limb remaining on the tree does not 

 contain the insect equally with that which falls — points that might be determined by 

 cutting down a tree in autumn from which limbs had been pruned. Fourth, to make a 

 collection for comparison from each species of tree infested. 



Besides the accounts of Professors Peck, Fitch, and Harris, the following bibliography 

 may be noticed : — 



Haldeman — Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, vol. 10, p. 34. 



Larva feeds on the living [?] wood of oak, hickory, and chestnut ; also, dead Abies. 



Riley — American Ent., vol. 2, p. 60 ; ib. vol. 3, p. 239. 



Larva bores in plum and apple twigs, and in dry grape cane, Missouri Rep., 3, p, 6. 

 Bores into and prunes the limbs of the apple, lb. 4, p. 54. Bred abundantly from 

 injured grape stems. 



Rathvon — U. S. Agricultural Rep., 18.61, p. 615. 



Merely a synopsis of Fitch's account. 



Packard, jr. — Bui., No. 7, p. 30. U. S. Entomological Commission. 



Scissored from Fitch in full. 



Olarkson— Can. Ent., vol. 17, p. 188, and vol. 19, p. 31. 



Discovers that the insect completes its metamorphosis in the fall and early winter, in 

 oak limbs, and takes issue with Peck, Fitch, and Harris on several points. 



Townsend, Can. Ent., vol. 18, p. 12. 



Thinks Mr. Clarkson's discovery the exception, and not the rule, in the time of 

 metamorphosis. 



