520 proceedings: biological society 



enous fungi, some of which were collected by him in the Hawaiian 

 Islands. Mr. Speare's communication was discussed by General 

 T. E. Wilcox and by Dr. L. 0. Howard. 



The second paper was by L. 0. Howard : The possible use of Lachnos- 

 terna larvae as a food supply. Dr. Howard briefly referred to the preju- 

 dice against insects as food and gave an account of his experiments 

 recently undertaken with white grubs sent in from Wisconsin. They 

 were sterilized, thoroughly washed, the contents of the alimentary 

 canal removed, and were then served as a salad and in a broth. They 

 were eaten by several members of the Bureau of Entomology and by 

 Mr. Vernon Bailey of the Biological Survey and were pronounced 

 distinctly edible. The speaker urged further experimentation with 

 numerous species of insects as to their food value. Dr. Howard's com- 

 munication was discussed by the Chair, Mr. W. E. Safford, General 

 Wilcox and Medical Inspector Ames. 



The last paper was by W. E. Safford: Agriculture in pre-Columbian 

 America. Mr. Safford described various plants used by the early in- 

 habitants of America, particularly those of Mexico and of Central and 

 South America, and the manner of their use and preparation, and called 

 attention to those employed at the present day and adopted by civilized 

 man. The prominent part which these plants played in the life of the 

 pre-Columbian inhabitants is shown in ceremonial objects, earthen- 

 ware products, etc., ornamented by designs based on these plants and 

 in some cases by molds of parts of plants. Mr. Safford's communi- 

 cation was illustrated by numerous lantern slide views of the plants 

 under consideration and of many objects bearing plant designs. It 

 was discussed by the Chair, General Wilcox and by Prof. E. 0. 

 Wooton. 



M. W. Lyon, Jr., Recording Secretary. 



