156 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



A CORRECTION. 



Dear Sir : In my paper on " New North American Homoptera," in 

 the May number of the Canadian Entomologist, on page 115 occurs a 

 typographical error that calls for a prompt correction. The name 

 Athysaims obtiisus there applied to a species described as new should 

 have read obtutus. The name obtusus was long ago preoccupied for a 

 well-known European species in this large genus. The similarity of these 

 names is only in their form, and need not be confusing. 



Buffalo, N. Y., April 29th, 1892. Edward P. Van Duzee. 



BOOK NOTICE. 



Special Report of the State Board of Agriculture on the work 

 of Extermination of the Ocneria Dispar, or Gypsy Moth. Boston : 

 Wright & Potter Printing Co., 1892. 

 This official pamphlet gives an interesting account of the very remark- 

 able and unique effoits that are being made in the State of Massachusetts 

 to exterminate the Gypsy Moth. This insect, imported from Europe, 

 was accidentally permitted to establish itself about twenty years ago, and 

 has now multiplied to such an extent as to be a very serious pest through- 

 out a considerable area of the State. In March, 1890, the Legislature 

 passed an Act appointing three commissioners to " provide and carry 

 into execution all possible and reasonable measures to prevent the spread- 

 ing and secure the extermination of the Ocneri dispar or Gypsy Moth in 

 the commonwealth". The sum of $25,000 was also appropriated for 

 the work. Last year the commission was merged into the State Board of 

 Agriculture, and a further grant of $50,000 was made to it. The report 

 before us gives the details of the work carried out and the modes adopted 

 for waging war against the insect. They were very largely under the 

 direction of Prof Fernald, as Entomological Adviser, and Mr. Forbush as 

 Superintendent of field work. The number of men employed varied with 

 the season, and at one time, in June last, was as many as 242. The work 

 began with the destruction of the eggs ; when these proceeded to hatch 

 out, spraying the caterpillars with insecticides was adopted, and towards 

 the close of the season the eggs were again made the objects of attack. 

 An enormous number of the insects were thus destroyed and a perceptible 

 diminution in the amount of injury was observed in some places. We 

 shall look forward with great interest to the results of the present year's 

 operations, and hope in time to be able to record a great victory in this 

 field of practical entomology. 



Mailed May 30th. 



