1910 J ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY — ENTOMOLOGY. 55 



tions were not always successful. In attempts to disguise the taste of the 

 poison it was found that when saccharin was added in small amounts to a 

 solution composed of 3 gm. of strychnin to 1,000 cc. of Irish moss sirup until a 

 pleasant but still bitter flavor was reached, the gopher took the poisoned dan- 

 delion readily, and it is believed that dandelion prepared in this way forms a 

 palatable bait, which will be taken in preference to any other food, even that 

 which lias not been poisoned. 



The author finds it possible to place poison carefully for 250 gophers in one 

 day. The gopher may be poisoned at any season of the year, but the best time 

 is during the months when sowing or planting is being done, thus preventing 

 the damage that is certain to follow. Attention is called to the fact that com- 

 munity cooperation In gopher poisoning is eminently advisable. 



A new cuckoo from New Zealand, A. Wetmore (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., SO 

 (1917), pp. 1, 2). — A new subspecies is here described under the name Urodyna- 

 mis taitrnsis phcletcs. 



Swan Lake, Nicollet County, Minn., as a breeding ground for waterfowl, 

 H. C. Oberholskr (Fins, Feathers, and Fur, No. 13 (1918), pp. 1-Jf, figs. 5). — 

 A list of birds observed by the author at Swan Lake, Minn., from July 25 to 27, 

 1917, is included. 



Wounds and diseases of the Ophidia: Snakes and serpents, O. Larcher 

 {Bui. Soc. Cent. M6d. Vft., 94 (1918), No. 8, pp. 182-221).— A summary of in- 

 formation on the subject with references to the literature and a 5-page bib- 

 liography. 



The spotted garden slug, W. H. White (U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 959 

 (1918), pp. 8, figs. 3). — Litnax maximus has attracted considerable attention in 

 recent years in this country and abroad by its depredations in gardens, green- 

 houses, and mushroom beds, being more abundant in the United States along the 

 Atlantic and Pacific coasts than in the interior. 



This slug is one of the largest land mollusks of its kind, often attaining 

 a length of 7 in. when fully extended, but more generally ranging in length from 

 1.5 to 4 in. It attacks plants of many kinds, in the greenhouse usually confining 

 its attack to young tender seedlings, but ornamentals are rendered unsightly 

 and unsalable by the trail of mucus which exudes from the animal's body. In 

 the garden it often causes serious injury to such plants as celery, lettuce, peas, 

 and beans. It has been recorded as also feeding on tomato, parsnip, carrots, 

 strawberry, beet, turnip, cabbage, onion, leek, melon, white potato, sweet potato, 

 and common grasses. Its fondness for fungi make it a serious pest when once 

 it has gained access to a mushroom house. Fungi and stored tubers appear to be 

 its favorite food. 



The eggs are deposited in masses of from 50 to 70 in moist places, especially 

 under decaying boards, flower pots, and refuse, from spring until fall. At a 

 temperature of 60 to 70° F. they hatch in about 2S days and the young slugs 

 attain a length of about an inch in 30 days. Slugs held in captivity ami reared 

 from eggs made a growth of 2 in. in six months, though the exact time required 

 by the animal to attain full growth is not known. The winter is passed below 

 the frost line in the ground, in drain pipes, cellars, greenhouses, and pits, on 

 well walls, and along foundations. 



The common toad is said to be the principal enemy of this slug. 



The application of arsenicals to the plant as a control measure is said to be 

 impractical, principally because its attack is local and it avoids most poisonous 

 substances. The use of poison baits is also not entirely satisfactory because 

 of the slowness of the slug to change its diet, though where large plants are beincr 

 injured poisoned baits may be employed with fair results. Cleanliness is said 



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