42 



Dr. Dietz obtained his specimens of the alleged u rapce" from the same 

 source, and hence the unfortunate error. 



For this reason it seems to be advisable to consider our cabbage cur- 

 culio as being identical with the European C. rajpm as long as the con- 

 trary is not proven by comparison with correctly determined specimens. 



It should be added that C. napi Gyll. is entirely distinct and scarcely 

 to be confused with rapce, except by the most superficial study. The 

 habits of both species of feeding upon CruciferaB were known to their 

 describers, as evidenced by their specific names. 



European systematists have lately adopted as the spelling of this 

 genus, Ceuthorrhynchus; but as the original characterization by Ger- 

 mar gives Ceutorhynchus (Insectorum Species, Vol. I, p. 217), and no 

 valid reason is known to the writer for the change, the latter spelling 

 is retained. 



INTRODUCTION IN AMERICA. 



It appears probable that the cabbage curculio was introduced into 

 this country and had established itself at a comparatively early period, 

 and that the point of its original introduction was in New England 

 and not far from the coast line. As early as the winter of 1873-71 

 Messrs. Hubbard and Schwarz obtained specimens at Lynn, Mass., 

 and at that time, Mr. Schwarz assures me, he saw specimens in the 

 collection of Mr. E. P. Austin, which had been collected in the same 

 district and prior to that date. No record appears to have been made 

 of the dates of earliest capture. Possibly, however, the species referred 

 to by Dr. A. S. Packard in an account which he gave many years ago 

 of what he called the " radish-seed weevil," and which was identified 

 as Ceutorhynchus assimilis Pay k. , in his second report of the insects of 

 Massachusetts (Rept. Mass. Board Agr. for 1871 [1872], pp. 311, 312; 

 9th Rept. U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Surv. for 1875, pp. 763, 761), may 

 have been this insect. This is the more probable, as one of the 

 illustrations (made from an American specimen) fits rapce, as does 

 also the description. The singular identification of this insect, what- 

 ever it may have been, was obviously made by comparison of speci- 

 mens, with the description and illustrations furnished by Curtis in 

 his "Farm Insects" (pp. 104-106). The insect was stated to have 

 been found in Maine in 1857 upon radish leaves, and it would 

 seem unnecessary to state that the identification was incorrect, since 

 the true C. assimilis is European and not as yet known to occur in 

 America. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES. 



The mature weevil measures about an eighth of an inch and is 

 of broadly oval form, being about three-fourths as wide as long. 



