Remarks upon the Stenini. x 17 



Quercus garryana (Oregon White Oak). This seems at 

 its best in the Willamette valley and along- the Columbia river » 

 For years past a large amount. of this timber has been shipped 

 to San Francisco, and well authenticated cases have occurred 

 of its being returned to Oregon as Eastern oak for our wagon 

 builders. 



Quercus kelloggii — Black Oak — Kellogg' s Oak. This 

 handsome oak is found no further north than Lane county, but 

 grows abundant in southern Oregon. I have not seen it in cen- 

 tral Oregon. It is at its best in Douglas and Jackson counties. 

 It is a much handsomer tree than the white oak, but its timber 

 is not so good. 



Live Oak — Quercus chrysolepis. This tree is often used for 

 wagon timber along the western slopes of the Siskiyous but is. 

 scarcely abundant enough to more than supply home want. 



Thomas Conaon. 



REMARKS UPON 7 HE STENINI OBSERVED IN 

 SAN DIE GO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. 



Among the Microcoleoptera, neglected by the majority of col- 

 lectors, is that extremely interesting tribe of the Staphylinidae — 

 the Stenini. The insects of this group are generally minute, va- 

 rying between 1.7 mm. (Stenus atomarius) and 5.5 mm. (Areus- 

 annularis). 



They are to be sought for about the roots of plants ; beneath, 

 decaying vegetable matter, and debris cast up by the water, 

 along creek and river banks. They are generally abundant 

 about all permanently moist places. Rarely have I taken them 

 on the wing. 



They are readily recognized by their dark color, Mantis- 

 like attitude, prominent eyes, abdomen decreasing rapidly in 

 width from base to apex, and by their peculiar movements — run- 

 ning with varying speed in the different species, for short or long 

 distances, then pausing for a time. 



They are said to be carnivorous in their habits, and my ob- 

 servations thus far confirm that statement; but not by abundant 

 proof. On one occasion while searching about the roots of a 

 partly broken down shrub, I discovered one with a small green, 

 aphid in its jaws, that I had probably dislodged while disturbing 

 the plant. 



The species thus far collected in San Diego county are four 

 in number, but they are by no means the sum total of those that 

 can be taken. They can be collected from May to December, 

 but are most abundant during the months of June, July, and Au- 

 gust. The. species are as follows: 



Stenus sculptil, is Casey. — A distinct form, and varying in 

 length from 3.9 mm. to 5.2 mm. Decidedly robust. Pubescence 



