All the described species of Balaninus in habiting America north of mexico when larvæ live in the fruit (nuts and acorns) of the various species of Quercus, Castanea, Corylus, and perhaps Fagus of the order Cupuliferœ and Carya of the Juglandaceœ. Acorns, somewhat largely used in this country in the arts and in the manufcture of certain dietetics, are mostly imported, the native production being rendered almost worthless by these larvæ; and our chestnuts as soon as collected must be kiln-dried or otherwise treated, which renders them greatly inferior to those of foreign countries.