OF WASHINGTON. 383 



This communication was briefly discussed by Messrs. Pollard, 

 Cockerell, Ashmead, and Schwarz. Mr. Pollard asked whether 

 the agave and other large plants of that region have similar insect 

 fauna. Mr. Schwarz replied that there are in Mr. Hubbard's 

 letters various scattered observations and notes on the insects liv 

 ing in or on Yucca, Agave and Nolina which he expects to 

 gather and present at a future time. Agave palmer i seems to 

 be the only Amaryllidaceous plant of southern Arizona which 

 when perfectly healthy is attacked by insect borers. These are 

 two species of the Curculionid genus Zygops and a lepidopterous 

 larva of the genus Megathymus. 



Mr. Cockerell stated that two Coccids had been found upon the 

 Dasylirion, but that both species were also found upon yuccas. 

 Mr. Ashmead said that the Dasylirion insects were very similar 

 in characters to the insects found in decomposing palmetto in 

 Florida. 



The next paper was by Mr. Marlatt, and in the absence of the 

 author was read by Mr. Benton. It was entitled : 



REMARKS ON SOME RECENT WORK ON COCCIDS. 

 By C. L. MARLATT. 



No group of insects has excited more interest, nor attracted 

 more new students perhaps in the last few years, than the scale 

 insects, or Coccidse. Entomological magazines, and, in fact, 

 journals of all sorts and descriptions, and in the most unexpected 

 and unusual quarters, have been heavily charged with literature of 

 new species, sub-species, etc. The great number of such new 

 species has struck the attention of non-workers in this group, and 

 particularly has the designation of an astonishing percentage of 

 sub-species, physiological species, varieties, etc., been calculated 

 to arouse the gravest suspicion as to the reliability of the work 

 done and the validity of the forms characterized, especially when 

 the characters on which the new species, sub-species, etc., are 

 based are at all carefully investigated. That with all the en 

 thusiasm manifested in working up new material and describing 

 new forms many good species are found and characterized can 

 not be doubted, and it is therefore the more to be regretted that 

 the authors responsible for much good work have been led by a 

 surplus of zeal to be guilty also of much that must be a positive 

 detriment to the knowledge of this group of insects. For the 

 benefit of future students, and with the intention merely to bring 

 about, if possible, a much needed reform in the interest of the 



