53 
Of the geographical distribution of Nomius pygmaeus 1 know nothing 
except what I have learned from Mr. E. A. Schwarz. In his annual 
address as president of the Entomological Society of Washington for 
the year 1888, he says (p. 182): 
The following are examples of remarkable distribution, of which I am unable to 
offer a satisfactory explanation: Nomius pygmeus, a neat looking carabid beetle, but 
justly dreaded by those who have had an opportunity of finding it, on account of its 
overpowering feetid odor, occurs in Washington Territory, Oregon, at Lake Superior, 
and on the high mountains of North Carolina, a distribution participated in by sey- 
eral species of distinetly Arctic origin. The same species occurs as an extreme rarity 
in southern Europe, specimens being occasionally found in southern France, Hun- 
gary, and Greece. An importation of this species, which is by no means common 
even in North America, by the agency of man is utterly inconceivable. 
Under date of July 29, 1897, Mr. Schwarz writes me that it has also 
been found in the mountainous regions of Georgia and Alabama, in 
Ottawa, Canada, Marquette, Mich., Colorado, and (probably northern) 
California. He also informs me that in one case it took possession of 
a boarding house in western Pennsylvania and rendered it temporarily 
upinhabitable. 
The life history of Nomius pygmeus is entirely unknown, but it is 
believed to pass its larval existence in very wet places, probably among 
the vegetation of swamps. 
Mr. Schwarz, in discussing the previous paper, remarked that from 
his own experience in handling living specimens of Nomius pygmeus he 
could fully corroborate Professor Barrows’s statement regarding the 
powerful stench -emitted by this beetle. In company with Mr. H. G, 
Hubbard he had found this species quite abundantly at Marquette, 
Mich., where it had been washed ashore by the waves of Lake Superior. 
He also pointed ont that as long as the habits and real habitat of the 
beetle remained unknown nothing could be done to abate this nuisance. 
He thought it probable that the beetle and its larva would be found to 
inhabit very wet, swampy places. Another earabid, Psydrus piceus, 
which with Nomius pygmeus constitutes the tribe Nomiini, lives under 
moist bark of prostrate pine trees throughout the more western portion 
of boreal America, and also emits an unpleasant though much less 
powerful and less persistent odor than Nomius. The latter species 
does net have the body flattened as in Psydrus, and for this reason is 
not likely to live under bark. 
Upon motion of Mr. Ashmead, a vote of thanks was passed to the 
local committee for their kindness and many courtesies in providing 
for the meeting. After passing a vote of thanks to the president and 
secretary, the final adjournment was taken. 
A. H. KIRKLAND, 
Secretary pro tem. 
