224 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, 



was based on personal observation. It was at variance with the des- 

 criptions of this operation and somewhat surprising. 



Mr. Smith repHed that he had never watched oviposition, nor had it 

 been watched in this country so far as he was aware. His statements 

 were inferences based on examinations of infested fruit. The passage 

 from the ovaries to the outside of the pear was large and open, so no 

 necessity existed for a puncturing of fruit by either insect or larva. He 

 further found that in a lot of infested pears placed on moist earth, most of 

 the larvpe left the pear by this same aperture. 



Mr. Lintner expressed surprise at this, and described his experience 

 which was that the fruit usually cracks transversely near its base, and 

 that the larvae make their way to the surface through these cracks. 



Mr. Southwick asked as to the best way to breed Cecidomyidse. He 

 had been very unsuccessful with some species he had attempted to rear. 



Mr. Smith thought no general rule could be laid down, as the habits 

 of the insects differ so much. Our effort must be to keep them in natural 

 conditions as much as possible. 



Mr. Lintner agreed to this and added, that there was much difference 

 in the ease with which species could be bred. With some, success was 

 very difficult. 



Mr. Fletcher found them easy to rear as a rule, if they were given the 

 constant care and attention necessary. He thought the blighting of the 

 blossoms might be done without injury to the tree, as the blossoms of 

 many varieties expanded before the leaves appeared, and even if some 

 leaves were destroyed at this season the injury would soon be repaired. 



Mr. Lintner asked what material could best be employed ? 

 Mr. Fletcher suggested the arsenites, and preferably London purple 

 on account of its causticity. 



Mr. Howard asked whether Mr. Fletcher had considered what effect 

 this would have on the bees. 



Mr. Fletcher said he had not. It was an off-hand suggestion ; but 

 sulphate of copper might be substituted, and would not, he thought, hurt 

 bees. He was, however, rather sceptical as to the injuries to bees from 

 spraying flowers, and intended next spring to experiment on this question, 



Mr. Osborn asked whether the midge was confined to pear or was 

 known to attack other fruits ? He explained that he had found a Cecid- 



