Hagen.] 58 [Getober 23, 
orange color of the suture—so Gyllenhal, Erichson, and many 
others. The four figures I compared are rather indifferent ones 
(Olivier, Herbst, Scriba, Panzer), but in Panzer’s figure the suture 
is at least indicated. Therefore Dr. LeConte was entirely justified 
in bringing this difference to the front. As I was not satisfied with 
the result of my researches, I compared every description I know ef 
this species, and there found different statements by the following 
authors. I possess the copy of Geoffroy, formerly in Erichson’s 
library, and with many marginal notes by him; where the species 
(4, 114) is determined by him as A. pimpinelle, Geoffroy says: 
“la couleur rougeatre occupe principalement le bas de la suture et 
la haut de cette méme partie prés de leur junction avec le corselet.’’ 
Duftschmid, Paykul, and Scriba, described the color of the suture in 
the same manner. 
Mr. Cornelius, Stett. Zeit., xxx, 408, discovered A. pimpinelle 
in the nests of Cypselus Apus in immense numbers, so that he be- 
lieves this to be its principal home. In one nest only one year old, 
he found one hundred and ten specimens. Regarding the descrip- 
tion he says it is surprising that all the authors fail to record that 
the suture is red to the middle. He adds that probably specimens 
collected in the field may commonly lose the red scales which speci- 
mens developed before his eyes showed always very bright. Now 
the original description of Melsheimer says “ only the suture on which 
is a common short linear spot behind the middle, and a similar but 
shorter one before the apex ochraceous,” which agrees with the before 
quoted descriptions of A. pimpinelle. Mr. Kuester describes A. Js- 
abellinus from Spain, now recognized to be a variety of Pimpinelle. 
In his description he mentions a character which is also to be found 
in A. thoracicus. Near the suture before the tip is a knotty, some- 
what pointed tubercle, which is prolonged in a somewhat keel-shaped 
protuberance externally. As I stated, a number of A. thoracicus 
before me possess this character, which is perhaps a sexual differ- 
ence, as in some of the specimens it is wanting. I do not see this 
character in other species of Anthrenus, but I confess I have not 
made an exhaustive study. 
I would remark that the prothorax in A. pimpinelle is more vari- 
egated than in A. thoracicus, but of the latter species my material is 
far from being sufficient. Some specimens agree with Dr. LeConte’s 
description, the whole suture is fulvous, and some with Melsheimer’s 
description. I think the characteristics of both species should be 
