45 



species showed the presence of 50 per cent, of vegetable material, all 

 fragments of the higher plants except 2 per cent, of common fungi. 



Daring the last summer specimens of this beetle were received from 

 Illinois (H. H. Harris, Lynnville, Morgan County) and Iowa (J. M. 

 Evans, Salem, Henry County, through Dr. J. M. Shaffer, of Keokuk), 

 with the information that it was damaging young corn by gnawing into 

 the seed grain and by eating the sprouting roots. The exact amount 

 of damage done was not stated, but it was said to be quite extensive, 

 Specimens were sent to the Department showiug the beetle actually en- 

 gaged in eating a large cavity into the seed, as shown in the figure, so 

 that there can be no doubt as to the accuracy of the observation. 



If this damage should become extensive, a satisfactory remedy will 

 be found in soaking all seed-corn for a short time before plauting in 

 some arsenical solution, such as Paris green or London purple, in water. 

 Such a course will not injure the germiuative quality of the seed, and 

 will probably result in the death of all beetles which attempt to gnaw 

 the seed. 



