Sept. 1896.] 
Wickham : Larwe of Some Beetles. 
119 
jointed, although what appears as the first joint may possibly be merely 
a cephalic process. The second and third joints are of about equal 
length, though the third is of much less diameter ; the fourth is small 
and springs from a termino-lateral point instead of from the center of 
the tip of the third. Mandibles very heavy; in lateral outline they show 
a strongly bidentate tip, while the inner edge near the base is serrate. 
One mandible (in a balsam mount) shows also a strong tooth just above 
the serrated portion. Maxillae with subcylindrical outer lobe, which 
is somewhat smaller toward apex; inner lobe sub-reniform, face with 
numerous shortish spines; palpus 3-jointed, joints not greatly differing 
among themselves in length but decreasing gradually in thickness. 
Mentum slightly elongate, truncate at tip, ligula with sides oblique 
from the base to the broadest portion, which is slightly posterior to the 
point of insertion of the palpi; angles rounded, apex with median pro¬ 
longation bearing at tip a pair of rather short divergent bristles; palpi 
two-jointed, the second joint slightly shorter and much more slender. 
A dissection exposing the upper floor of the labium shows a basi- 
median parabolic band of pubescence (see Fig. 1, mt.), surrounding 
a strong brown chitinous piece, articulated to another support at its pos¬ 
terior extremity. A similar structure is found in the mouth of Hymen- 
orus. Clypeus about twice as broad as long, narrower anteriorly, angles 
rounded; labrum somewhat semicircular in outline, surface bristled as 
shown in figure. 
Prothorax longer than the meso or metathorax, the last two about 
equal to each other. Abdomen of nine segments, the first seven differ¬ 
ing but little in length among themselves, the eighth a little shorter, the 
ninth much so ; it is terminated by a pair of short spines springing from 
the dorso-posterior margin. Legs short, coxae conical, trochanters tri¬ 
angular in lateral view, outer side much the longest, femora broader at 
tip, tibiae narrowed to apex, claw curved, simple, bearing two bristles 
near the base on the lower surface. Spiracles nine, the largest situated 
near antero-lateral mesothoracic margin; segments one to eight of the 
abdomen, each with one near the latero-median point. 
The specimens described were given me by Dr. F. E. Blaisdell, 
who obtained them in woody fungi in Calaveras Co., California. 
Meracantha contracta Beauv. (Fig. 2.) 
Form elongate cylindrical, not tapering; color yellowish or brown¬ 
ish, the head and dorso-median portions of all the segments darker, 
ventral surface paler than the upper. Length of full grown specimen 
19 mm. Head slightly narrower than the prothorax, shining, rather 
