I am enabled to describe them so far as this can be done from the 
larva, but am still unable to determine the species. 
Length about one inch, some of the specimens slightly less; width 
about eight-hundredths of an inch or one-twelfth the length; the un¬ 
derside somewhat flattened, with slight infolding of the margin, thus 
forming a little groove along each ventral margin; upper side con¬ 
vex; wfldth uniform from the head to near the extremity of the last 
segment. The head depressed toward the front; antennse, three-joint¬ 
ed ; the last joint small and suborbicular, with a hair-like process at 
the tip ; back of each jaw are two longitudinal shallow impressed 
lines. The first segment behind the head is considerably longer than 
either of the three following. The last, or anal segment, is slightly 
elongated, the length being to the width at the base about as three to • 
two; the sides curving regularly to a blunt point in the form of a 
gothic arch ; near the tip each margin has two slight rounded inden¬ 
tations rather minute ; the latter half slightly flattened and sparsely 
punctured above, no lateral pores present on the upper side near the 
base; the anal proleg rather small, circular and embraced in the usual 
parabolic line or ridge which extends back not quite half the length 
of the segment. A few scattering, brownish hairs chiefly along the 
sides, about eight to each segment. Head and last segment more 
hairy than the rest of the bocty. The hind margin of the penulti¬ 
mate segment and to a slighter degree of the others, with that part 
which overlaps the following, denticulate. Color light yellowflsh- 
brown, paler beneath and at the sutures; the head, first three and last 
segments rather darker than the rest, the front of the head brown ; 
the anterior boundary of the dark portion of each segment back of 
the fourth being a minute, slightly raised line. Stigmata brown and 
small, situated in the anterior part of each segment. Jaws black. 
The minute spines on the basal joint of the legs in two rows. There - 
is a very narrow but distinct pale yellow line along the middle of the 
back on most of the segments back of the head. 
In some respects this worm is very similar to the larva of the Wheat 
Wire-worm (Agriotes mancus —Say) described by Dr. Horn and figured 
in the Canadian Entomologist vol. 4, page 4, but it differs in the fol¬ 
lowing respects: our species is considerably larger, has fewer hairs 
on the body segments, and lacks the pores on the upper side of the 
last segment—though it is proper to remark that these pores, though 
figured, are not mentioned in the description. It is therefore more 
than probable that our species, which may be called the “Corn Wire- 
worm,” is closely related to tbe Wheat Wire-worm. 
Of the soecies of this family of beetles found in Illinois the follow¬ 
ing may be mentioned as most commonly met with. As they have- 
no common names I am compelled to use the scientific names only. 
Alaus oculatus —Linn. 
A large black species measuring from one inch and a quarter to one 
inch and a half in length ; having on each side of the thorax a large 
velvety black, eye-like spot surrounded by a white line; the elytra 
marked to a greater or less degree with white downy spots. 
The larva is a long, slender, smooth, sub-cylindrical worm, two 
inches or more in length when fully grown ; of a creamy yellow color, 
tinged with reddish brown on the back ; head and back of one or more 
