ENTOMOLOGY. 989 



Notes on species of fungi cultivated from rhododendron leaves, P. Hen- 

 nings (Ztschr. Pflanzenkrank., 14{1904), No.3,pp. 140-143). — A brief account together 

 with technical descriptions is given of the fungi isolated by the author from leaves 

 of Rhododendron falconeri, a Himalayan species which was brought to the Berlin 

 Botanical Garden in 1883. The species of fungi noted are Leptosphseria rhododendri, 

 Pleospora falconeri, Phacidium falconeri, Phyllosticta berolinensis, J', falconeri, Macro- 

 phoma falconeri, and Coniothyrium rhododendri. 



A new parasite of orchids, L. Montemartinj (Alii Inst. Bot. Univ. Pavia, .'. ser., 

 8 {1904) , pp. 09-101, pi. 1) . — A technical description is given of Uredo aurantiaca, 

 n. sp., which has been recently observed as occurring on the leaves of Oncidium caven- 

 dishianum. 



A chemical-physiological method of determining the presence of copper in 

 dilute solutions, Ewert (Ztschr. Pflanzenkrank., 14 {1904,) No. 3, pp. 188-136).— A 

 method of testing for copper in extremely dilute solutions is given winch is based 

 upon the inhibiting action of copper to diastase. The author claims the method is 

 accurate for testing solutions as dilute as 1 part of copper sulphate to .'50,000,000 parts 

 of water. The test is made by adding a drop of the copper solution to 2 drops of 

 a diastase solution and 10 drops of a starch solution, and after standing for about an 

 hour and a half at room temperature 2 drops of an iodin solution are added to the 

 tubes, and comparisons made with similar tubes in which the copper solution is 

 omitted. The copper-containing solutions at once become blue from the character- 

 istic starch reaction, while the checks are either colorless or reddish. 



The author claims that Bordeaux mixture when too strongly made checks the 

 metabolism of starch in the leaves, the retardation being in proportion to the strength 

 of the solution. The green parts of all plants contain diastases and the presence of 

 the copper has an inhibiting effect on the activity of the enzym. 



ENTOMOLOGY. 



Fourth report of the State entomologist, W. E. Britton {Connecticut State Sin. 

 Rpt. 1904, pi- 8, j>/i. 199-810 -f- X, pis. IS, figs. 17). — A list is presented of insects sent 

 to the station during the year for identification. Brief notes are given on some of 

 the more conspicuous entomological features of 1904. The potato beetle did not 

 become abundant until late in the season. Numerous galls appeared on the leaves 

 of honey locust, due to Cecidomyia gleditchise. The pear-tree psylla was successfully 

 held in check by lime and sulphur sprays. Evidence was obtained that the fall 

 webworm is double brooded in Connecticut. Notes are also given on onion maggot, 

 cockroaches injurious to books, Autographa biloba on geranium leaves, strawberry 

 root borer, apple leaf hopper, sawfiies, tarnished plant bug, plum curculio injuring 

 apples, etc. An account of experiments in controlling San Jose scale is given on 

 pp. 221-252. This has been previously noted (E. 8. R., 10, p. 578). 



In a report on mosquito investigations the entomologist was assisted by H. L. 

 Viereck. An investigation was undertaken to determine the species of mosquitoes 

 found in the State, their chief breeding places, and effective means for controlling 

 the pests. Notes are given on the agency of mosquitoes in carrying malaria and yel- 

 low fever. The life history and habits of mosquitoes are briefly noted. According 

 to the report there are 22 species of mosquitoes in Connecticut. Descriptive and 

 biological notes are given on these species, together with a key for their identifica- 

 tion. Notes are presented on the breeding places of mosquitoes in various parts of 

 Connecticut, as determined by a survey undertaken for this purpose. Salt marshes 

 should be treated by draining by means of ditching, plows, or more elaborate 

 machines. Experiments with copper sulphate showed that when used at the rate of 

 1 part to (50,000 in water it does not check the development of mosquitoes. Shrimps 

 and pike were observed feeding upon mosquito larva;. In the inland region of Con- 



