36 



William Valentine Andrews, was born on the 11th of February, 1811, in Pilton, 

 Somerset, England. At an early age he entered the British service, and served as a pri- 

 vate in the Coldstream Guards, rising eventually to the rank of Captain. Subsequently 

 he resigned his commission and removed to Canada, where he resided for sevei'al years 

 in London, Ont., engaged in the book and periodical business. From thence he removed to 

 the United States and settled in Brooklyn, where he spent the last few years of his life 

 in the same branch of business, devoting his leisure time chiefly to the study of Entomo- 

 logy, in which he made rapid progress. He had a well arranged collection of Coleoptera 

 and Lepidoptera, and a small but well selected library of Entomological works. His re- 

 mains were interred at Eosedale Cemetery, New Jersey. 



Since his decease his collections and library have been purchased by Mr. John 

 Akhurst, of Brooklyn, N. Y. 



FREDERICK SMITH. 



Another veteran in the Entomological ranks has passed to his rest. Frederick Smith, 

 the renowned English Hymenopterist, is no more ; he died on the 16th of February, in 

 the 74th year of his age, from exhaustion consequent on a painful and dangerous furgical 

 operation. He was born in London, England, in 1805, and in early life was apprenticed 

 to Mr. W. B. Cooke, an eminent landscape engraver, where he acquired a very thorough 

 knowledge of the engraver's art, which was of great use to him in after life. While still 

 a young man he became an ardent collector of bees and ants, and also devoted some at- 

 tention to the collecting of Coleoptera ; but it was not until 1837 that the first paper from 

 his pen was published, giving an account of the natural history of one of the Gall Flies. 

 From 1842 to the time of his death his publications were very numerous and of great 

 value. A most industrious man, a painstaking and methodical student, and an accurate 

 observer, he has done very much to advance our knowledge of the Order in which he 

 especially laboured. By his death Entomology loses a sincere and talented advocate and 

 an earnest votary, and Entomologists will greatly miss a friend who was ever ready to 

 impart his knowledge to others. 



United States Entomological Commission. 



The Entomologists composing this commission have during 1879 devoted their 

 attention mainly to an investigation in reference to the Hessian Fly, an insect which has 

 entailed untold losses on the agricultural community both in this country and the United 

 States. Early in the year the following circular was issued and widely distributed among 

 Entomologists and farmers. A large amount of information has in this manner been 

 gathered and we look forward with much interest to the appearance of the report on this 

 important subject. 



Department of the Interior — Office op the U. S. Entomological Commission. 



Providence, E,. I., June, 1879. 



Dear Sir, — The Commission desires your co-operation in obtaiiung facts concerning 

 the habits of the Hessian Fly, with statistics of losses occasioned in your town or county 

 by its attacks ; and accounts of the remedies best calculated to prevent its increase, and 

 to destroy it. In brief the habits of the Hessian Fly are as follows : In May and June 

 two or three small reddish-white maggots may be found embedded in the crown of the 

 roots of the wheat, at or near the surface of the soil, causing the stalks and leaves to 

 wither and die ; the maggots harden, turn brown, then resembling a flax-seed, and change 

 into little black midges with smoky wings, half the size of a mosquito, which appear in 

 spring and autumn, and lay from twenty to thirty eggs in a crease in the leaf of the 

 young plant. Specimens of the fly may be obtained by sweeping the wheat when three 

 or four inches high, with a gauze net. Please send me specimens of the fly, eggs, maggot 



