OF WASHINGTON. 59 
south of the Chesapeake Bay. Quite a number of specimens 
were seen, on June lyth, washed up by the sea on the beach, 
among myriads of Doryphora lo-lineata and their constant com- 
panions, the various species of Coccinellidae. From this mode 
of occurrence, and, further, from the fact that no asparagus is 
grown anywhere near Fortress Monroe, it might be concluded 
that the Crioceris had flown directly across the bay from the 
opposite shore of Virginia. There can hardly be any doubt that 
the Crioceris will have reached, this year, the asparagus grow- 
ing region back of Norfolk, Va. 
In discussing this communication Mr. Lugger made some 
remarks in regard to the regions more recently invaded in Mary- 
land and Virginia by Crioceris as-paragi and C. 12-punctata. 
The former had been, for years, very common in the vicinity of 
Baltimore and along the banks of the Patapsco river where the 
wild asparagus grows abundantly. Two years ago the species 
appeared suddenly in large numbers on Kent Island, doing great 
damage, and in the same year it reached to within a few miles 
north of Hungar's Wharf, eastern shore of Virginia. The 
specimens observed by Mr. Schwarz, at Fortress Monroe, came 
probably from that vicinity, which is almost opposite the fort. 
The Crioceris 12-punctata has spread slowly and has reached 
portions of Anne Arundel County, and even Washington City. 
NOVEMBER 12, 1886. 
Five persons present. President Howard in the chair. 
Mr. Howard read a letter from Judge Johnson, dated Merid- 
ian, Miss., Nov. 4, 1886, in relation to the havoc caused by fleas 
among young chickens at Gainesville, Fla. Only the very young, 
downy chickens are affected, and upon these the fleas settle like 
ticks, especially about the head. One of the first symptoms ob- 
served is the loss of the voice in the chicken ; then the down 
drops oft', to be succeeded by knots, lumps, and sores. The 
chicken finally dies, and from a large brood only four remained 
after two weeks. Application of kerosene killed the fleas, but 
also the chickens ; and pyrethrum powder had only temporary 
effect. Mr. Howard added that specimens of the flea in question 
