21 
in decaying stumps, feeding as has generally been supposed, upon the 
putrid wood, but possibly on penetrating roots or fungus growths. 
“A close examination of specimens of various sizes, and those taken 
from different situations, even where there is but little variation in 
size or general appearance, reveals some very marked differences. 
Most of them show an impressed or indented line along the middle of 
the back, but in some this is wanting. The surface is generally fine¬ 
ly punctured or covered with minute impressed points ; but some¬ 
times is quite smooth. But the most marked difference is to be found 
in the form and structure of the last segment. 
“In some specimens, the last segment is simply conical, obtusely 
rounded at the tip, without divisions, notches or punctures; in others 
the form is the same, but in the back, near the base, are two conspic¬ 
uous punctures; others have this segment simply conical and point¬ 
ed, ending in a single sharp spine. Others have the tip flattened 
and rough, with its edge showing three or five tooth-like points or 
angular projections. These four different forms have the segment 
much longer than wide, and the worms to which they belong are 
slender and cylindrical, being very narrow in proportion to their 
length. Each is roundly notched at the end ; some simple, with 
smooth margins and the sides of the notch prolonged into sharp spines, 
which are usually curved upwards. Others have the back of the seg¬ 
ment flattened and rough—the lateral margins elevated, with three 
or more teeth on each side, 
“While these differences indicate specific, and probably generic char¬ 
acters, in the perfect insects, and probably some difference in larval 
habits, yet, practically, they are of but little value, as all the species 
which reside in the ground have the same general manner of life, as 
far as known. 
“The time and place when and where the female deposits her eggs 
has not, as I am aware, been observed; but they are doubtless deposi¬ 
ted in the ground, at the roots of grass and other plants ; the known 
habits of the larva and the attenuated and tapering abdomen of the 
perfect insect would indicate that such is the case. Dr. Fitch informs 
us that he once observed a female Elater (Ludius brevicornis ) at the 
root of a recently set cabbage plant, where she sunk herself down into 
the earth the whole length of her body, her swollen abdomen show¬ 
ing she was on the point of depositing her eggs. Having captured 
and confined this female, she deposited 126 eggs, which were of a 
broad oval form, very small, measuring only three-hundredths of an 
inch in length, smooth, glossy, and of an opaque whitish color. 
“The worms, as before stated, are very slender, the smaller species 
scarcely exceeding a knitting-needle in diameter, yet half an inch or 
more in length ; while the larva of our largest species is.as thick as a 
goose quill and two inches long. The smaller and ordinary species 
which reside in the ground are mostly cylindrical, while the larger 
species are slightly flattened. They are of equal size throughout, the 
head and last segment being narrowed, the cross sutures between the 
segments are but slightly impressed, and the body generally smooth 
and glossy, of a pale yellowish color when young or immediately after 
moulting, but usually tawny or brown, especially on the back; the 
mandibles are black. The body is composed of twelve segments be- 
