ENTOMOLOGY. 439 



Seven 1-peck lots of cowj)eas which weevils had begun to infest 

 were treated with different insecticides in order to determine their 

 value as preventives. After 4 months the percentage of uninjured 

 peas was determined. In a check lot only 10 per cent of the peas was 

 perfect, while the lot treated with naphthalene presented 91 per cent of 

 uninjured peas. Lime and wood ashes also gave fairly good results 

 when well mixed witii the peas; but only 9 jicr cent of uninjured peas 

 was found in the lot treated with carbon bisulphid. From this test 

 naphthalene-is considered the best thing to prevent attacks by weevils, 

 although carbon bisulphid is still lU'eferred to kill them after the stored 

 grain is thoroughly infested. 



In order to test the effect of carbon bisulphid on the germiuative 

 power of seeds, cowpeas and wheat were subjected to the fumes of the 

 liquid and also to immersion in it. All of the cowpeas germinated, but 

 only 32 to 02 per cent. of the wheat survived the treatment, the per 

 cent varying with the time the grain was exposed to the insecticide- 

 Naphthalene was found to produce no bad effect upon wheat, but immer- 

 sion in mixed suli)linr and alcohol for 1 day destroyed the germiua- 

 tive power of 30 per cent of the wheat grains. It is recommended that 

 napthaleue be sprinkled in the bins and over the grain to prevent the 

 attacks of weevils, the presence of which can frequently be told by the 

 temperature of the grain rising as though fermentation had begun. 

 Upon their j)resenee being noted carbon bisulphid should be poured 

 over the top of the grain, when the heavy fumes will sink and destroy 

 the pests. 



Insect Life {U. S. Dept. Agr., Division of Entomology, Insect Life, 

 vol. VI, No. 4, pp. 383-340, Jigs. 11). — This number contains the following- 

 articles : 



Special notes (pp. 283-286). — Under this head are comprised remarks 

 upon the eighth and ninth reports of the New York State- entomologist, 

 report of the official entomologist of the Dominion of Canada, Miss 

 Ormerod's seventeenth report, Ilagouot's monograph of the Phycitinic 

 and Galleriiure, and the San Jose scale in the East. 



A neiv and destructive peach-tree scale (pp. 287-295). — Seedling peaches 

 growing on the grounds of this Department were found in 1892 to 

 be infested .by a scale insect which was identified as Diaspis lanatus, 

 a pest of the West Indies. The means of its introduction are obscure. 

 It has been received since from Florida and Georgia. A descrip- 

 tion, life history, and experiments with insecticides are detailed. The 

 female scale is grayish and the male white. The larvjie when they 

 first hatch in May are orange yellow with purple eyes, and become 

 adults in about 4 weeks. There are 3 broods in a season. Kerosene 

 enudsion applied immediately after the young larva; have hatched is 

 recommended, or uprooting and burning the trees. 



The currant-stem girdler, C. L. Marlatt (pp. 290-301).— Notes on the 

 life history of Phylloecus flaviventris, with a technical description of the 

 species, and notes on allied species. 



