ENTOMOLOGY. 279 



Merodon erjucMris, which is reported as greatly injurious to daffodils. According to 

 the observations of the author, the eggs are de])osited in the scales near thi' top of 

 the bulb, and the larva after hatching eats its way down through the bulb and finally 

 emerges at the base. No practical remedies for this pest have been discovered. 



Locust destruction, W. H. Bushby {Agr. Jour, and Mia. Rec. INatal}, (! {1903), 

 No. IS, pp. 457-404)- — This is the report of the chief locust officer for the Natal gov- 

 ernment and contains a report of the operations conducted by the government in the 

 destruction of these insects. The formula for the insecticide which was successfully 

 used in various parts of Natal is as follows: 1 lb. arsenic, 0.5 lb. soda, 0.8 11). sugar, 

 1() gal. water. The solution was found to be quite harmless to stock excei)t when 

 considerable quantities were taken at one time. The country was divided into dis- 

 tricts for the purjiose of securing a more effective extermination of the locusts, and 

 each district was placed in charge of a local officer who was made responsible for the 

 destruction of the young locusts. Calls for aid from natives in locust-infested dis- 

 tricts were not always met enthusiastically and the author complains that in many 

 instances too much was expected from the government operations along this line. 



The invasion of locusts in Charente, J. Ricard {Ann. Inst. Nat. Agron., 2. ser., 

 2 {1903), No. 1, pp. 145-179, figs. 6). — The species of locust which is reported as hav- 

 ing caused most damage in Charente is Odoptenns it'dlcas. Notes are given on the 

 distribution of the insect and the depredations committed in 1901 and 1902, Little 

 success was had trom the use of ordinary chemical remedies in combating this insect, 

 and the author l)elieves that the main reliance must be placed upon the proper use 

 of mechanical remedies, such as large hoijperdozers combined with the employment 

 of a considerable force of men armed with small branches of trees to be used in driv- 

 ing the young locusts. Among the natural enemies of locusts the author mentions 

 parasitic fungi and unfavorable climatic conditions. 



Cicadas and tlieir habits, W. W. FROciGAxr {Agr. Gaz. New Soidh Wales, I4 

 {1903), No. 5, pp. 4I8-425, lAs. 2). — Notes are given on the following sjjecies of Cicada: 

 Tibicina ciirvicosta, Macrouistria angularis, Psaltodafiavescens, MelampsaUa melanopygia, 

 M. encaustica, Tetligarda tomentosa, Cystosoma saundersii, and C. vitripennis. A bibli- 

 ography of the subject is appended to the article. 



Spraying crops, C. M. Weed {New York: Oirmge Judd Co., 1903, 4- ed., pp. 136, 

 ph. 0, figs. 53). — In this edition an attemjit has been made to bring the discussion of 

 insecticides and fungicides up to date by inclusion of some of the newer formulas 

 which have been recommended by entomologists and botanists. 



Insecticide studies, J. K. Haywood ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Chemistry Bid. 

 70, pp. 63). — An investigation was made of pyrethrum powders containing poisonous 

 metals. It was found that in some localities the public demands tliat pyrethrum 

 powders be Ijright yellow. This color is produced l)y the addition of lead chromate. 

 Since this chemical is poisonous to man, attention is called to the dangers from using 

 l)yrethrum powders containing lead chromate, and a num1)er of cases of poisoning 

 are reported from the literature on the subject. During this investigation 105 

 samples were analyzed, and 18 per cent were found to be colored by lead chromate. 

 It is believed that where pyrethrum powders are sprinkled about houses for the 

 destruction of fleas, cockroaches, and other household pests the pulverized leail 

 chromate might produce serious cases of poisoning \)\ inhalation. 



A compilation of analyses of insecticides and fungicides was made from the i)ubli- 

 cations of agricultural experiment stations and is i)resented in a talndar form, with 

 comments on the methods used and on the results obtained. Copies are given of 

 the State laws governing the composition and sale of insecticides. 



Paris green, T. Macfaklane {L<d). Inland Rev. Bept. Ollawa, Canada, 1903, Bid. 

 SS, jip. 11). — A tabulated statement is presented describing 169 samples of I'aris 

 green wiiich were submitted for analysis, and showing the amount of arsenious acid, 

 cupric oxiil, and other constituents of the various samples. From these analyses it 



1)830— No. 3—03 6 



