1898.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 223 



of parasites in localities where their presence had not been heretofore 

 suspected. Some "recent housefly and mosquito experiments" were 

 also explained, and the details of a practical attempt to reduce the num- 

 ber of houseflies in the vicinity of the United States Department of Agri- 

 culture, and the number of mosquitoes on certain portions of Staten 

 Island were given. There seemed to be an inclination to suggest that 

 there was very little use in trying to exterminate the mosquitoes on 

 Staten Island, unless those in New Jersey could also be included. The 

 question was raised and not satisfactorily answered as to the habits of 

 flight of mosquitoes. Under what circumstances do they fly ? How far 

 may they fly, and are they likely to be carried by the wind : if so, what 

 kind of wind is likely to carry them ? In other words, it seems as if there 

 wa^ yet considerable to be learned, even about so common and well 

 known an insect as a mosquito. 



Incidentally, it may be remarked that there are mosquitoes in New Bruns- 

 wick, and sometimes even a considerable number of them. At my own 

 residence the piazza on the lower floor is practically uninhabitable with 

 comfort on many evenings of the Summer ; but a balcony on the floor 

 above is almost entirely free from their visitations, except when there is 

 absolutely no air stirring ; and even then only occasional specimens rise 

 to this height while dozens of them occur on the floor below. 



Another point that was brought out by Dr. Howard was that there are 

 really two species of Piilvinaria on maples. One of these is confined to 

 the twigs, the other inhabits by preference the leaves. The two species 

 may not occur together on one tree ; but either or both may be present. 



Further, our knowledge of the actual life-history of this insect is not 

 nearly so complete as has been supposed, and in view of the fact that two 

 species have been mixed, the whole subject must be restudied. 



Prof. F. \V. Rane spoke on the insect fertilization of musk-melons, 



mentioning a number of insects that visited the flowers of these plants, 



and giving some observations on the subject of the fertilization of this fruit. 



Mr. C. M. Weed presented a number of notes on tent caterpillars, 



adding a number of new facts concerning the habits of these insects. 



Prof. W. B. Alwood detailed some observations made on the life-history 



of the tomato-hawk moth and on the wooly apple louse. 



A number of papers were read by title only, because the time was too 



brief to admit of their being read in full, and so also the discussion of many 



of them was kept down for a similar reason. 



Finally, though not the least interesting, the address of the President, 



Prof. Herbert Osborn, must be mentioned. It will repay careful perusal 



when published, and its teachings merit the study and, I believe, the 



acceptance of the earnest and conscientious student. An abstract is 



hardly possible in this connection for it would be difficult to say what 



should be omitted. 



Altogether the meeting was a very successful and satisfactory one, and 



it brought out a number of young men who had not been heretofore 



known as attendants. 



