802 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



Life history observations on four recently described parasites of Bru- 

 cophagus funebris, T. D. Urbahns (Jour. Agr. Research [U. S.], 16 (1919), 

 No. 6, pp. 165-173, pis. 2, figs. 8). — This is a report of studies by an agent of the 

 Bureau of Entomology of the U. S. Department of Agriculture of four para- 

 sites of the clover seed chalcid fly in the seed of alfalfa and red clover, 

 namely, Liodontomerus perplexus, L. secundus, Eutelus bruchophagi, and 

 Timeromicrus maculatus. An account of the host insect B. funebris has previ- 

 ously been noted (E. S. R., 32, p. 454), as have studies of its important para- 

 site Habroeytus medicaginis (E. S. R., 36, p. 259). 



L. perplexus is primarily parasitic upon the larva stages of the clover seed 

 chalcid fly, feeding externally upon its host and frequently destroying the 

 entire host larva with the exception of the head. In exceptional cases it has 

 been found to be parasitic upon the pupal stage. This species is of consider- 

 able economic Importance in helping to reduce the injury caused by the 

 clover seed chalcid fly in alfalfa seed throughout the western Arizona seed- 

 growing districts. It is not present in sufficient numbers throughout the Cali- 

 fornia, Idaho, and Utah seed-growing sections to be Oi value in reducing the 

 injury. 



L. secundus, first collected at Albany. Ore-., in 1914, ovipositing in tbe green 

 ovaries of florets on red clover heads, has been reared from infested red 

 clover seed at Caldwell, Idaho, and Albany, Oreg., and was present among 

 cbalcids reared from red clover in 1915 at Elk Point, B. Dak. 



/•;. bruchophagi was reared from alfalfa seed infested by li. funebris at 

 several points in Idaho and Utah, and at Susanville, OaL T. maculatus has 

 been reared from Infested alfalfa seed taken at Yuma. Aria., and at a Dumber of 

 points in California and also at other points in Arizona. New Mexico. Kansas. 

 California, South Dakota, and Utah. It is apparently well establisbed in 

 Yuma Valley, where it was found to destroy about 7 per cent of the larv.e 

 of the clover seed chalcid fly, and it also appears to be well established in the 

 Honey Lake Valley of northeastern California. 



Additions and corrections to " The Type Species of the Genera of the 

 Cynipoidea or the Gall Wasps and Parasitic Cynipoids." S. A ElOHWEB and 

 M. M. Fagah il'roc. V. 8. Nat. !£•»., 55 (1919), pp. 887-840).— -This consists of 

 additions and corrections to the paper previously noted (E. 8. R.. 88, p. 63). 



Contributions to our knowledge of the British Braconidae. — III, Micro- 

 gasteridre. G. T. Lvi.k (EntOWtotogiat, -,'J {1916), Nee. 637, pp. 121-125. fig*. 7; 

 6SS, pp. 160-163; 6.i!>. pp. 185-187; 61,0, pp. 206-208; 6)1. pp. 888-85*; 6)2. pp. 



; .'.-).■ fi',3, pp. :; 50 (1017), Not. 646, pp. 51-53; 652, pp. 193-201, figs. 



6; 51 (1918), Nos. 660. pp. 10',-111; 661. pp. 129-137, figs. 8).— This third paper 

 (E. S. R., 32. p. 454) deals with the MIcrogasteridse, many of which are of con- 

 siderable economic Important 



FOODS— HUMAN NUTRITION. 



A new food mammal (Jour. Heredity, 8 (1917), No. 8, pp. 839-815. figs. 5). — 

 The domestication and utilization as food of the Florida manatee is discussed. 

 The meat of this mammal, the author claims, is remarkable for its whiteness, 

 delicacy, and flavor. When cured it resembles bacon. The oil from the blubber 

 which surrounds the entire body is believed, the author states, to be equal ther- 

 apeutically to eodliver oil. It is odorless, practically tasteless, contains no 

 iodin, and has good keeping qualities. 



The article includes an analysis of manatee grass ( Vyinodocca manaturum), 

 an aquatic plant on which the manatee feeds. 



