17 



The next subject <if <!iscnssion was on certain offensive names whicli have been pro- 

 posed for insects, in which most of the members took part. The following resolution was 

 unanimously adopteil : — 



" Resolved, That in view of the fact that certain names have of late been proposed for 

 insects which are offensive and unwar-antable, that the Committee on Nomenclature be 

 requested to present at tiie meeting next year a list of such names as should be ignored, 

 so that the Club may take action in reference to them." 



Some explanations were then offered in regard to a valuable discovery lately made by 

 Mr. George Dimmock, of Springfield, Mass., of a ready method of removing the scales 

 from the wings of Lepidopterous insects, so as to display the vein structure. Mr. Dim- 

 mock had kindly shown the admirable working of his process to a number of Entomolo- 

 gists at his room tlie evening previous, when all present were struck with the great prac- 

 tical value of the discovery. After full explanations to those present who had not seen 

 the working of the process, it was resolved, " That the thanks of the members of the Ento- 

 mological Club be given to Mr. Dimmock for his valuable discovery in relerence to a 

 ready method of denuding the wings of insects." 



This process of Mr. Dimniock's formed the subject of a paper read before the Ameri- 

 can Association, and which will be published, we believe, in an early number of Psyche. 

 It may thus Ije biiefly explained : All the materials necessary are a little alcohol, a satu- 

 rated aqueous solution of chloride of lime, a phial of pure muriatic acid and another 

 of sulphuric acid The wings are first moistened with alcohol, then transferred 

 to the solution of chloriile of lime, to which a little of the sulphuric acid has been 

 added. After immersion for a few moments, the colouring matter of the scales rapidly 

 disappears. This result may be hastened by taking the wings out of the chloride of lime 

 solution and immersing for a moment in the muriatic acid, diluted with twice its weight 

 of water, and then returning them again to the former solution. This alternation maj' 

 be repeated as often as required. By this means any quantity of wings of Lepidofitera 

 may be safely and entirely denuded with little or no ti-ouble. 



The denuded wings were neatly mounted by Mr. Dimmock on white cards, to which 

 they had been gummed. An interesting collection, illustrating the nerve structure of 

 many of the genera of moths, was exhibited by him, to the great gratification of all 

 present. 



In the compilation of these memoranda in regard to the meetings of the Entomolo- 

 gical Club, w-e are greatly indebted to the Secretary, Prof C. V. Riley, who very kindly 

 placed his notes at our disposal ; also to Mr. B. P. Mann, of Cambridge, who did us similar 

 service. 



During the course of the Sessions of the Association, a valuable and practical paper 

 was read by Dr. J. L. Leconte, retiring President of the Association, on various methods 

 of .subduing insects injurious to agriculture. This question being one of immense impor- 

 tance to the country generally, and especially to the agriculturist, elicited much discussion, 

 and finally it was resolved to memorialize the Senate and House of Kepresentatives of the 

 United States in reference to the carrying out of some of the suggestions made by the 

 learned author of this paper. We append a copy of the pajier, as well as one of the me- 

 morial, all of which we commend to the careful consideration of our readers. 



METHODS OF SUBDUING INSECTS INJUEIOUS TO AGRICULTURE. 



BY JOHN L. LECONTE, Jr.D., PHILADELPHIA. 



{Head before the American Association for the Advancement of Science, at Detroit, Aug. 10th.) 



In accordance with the predictions made at the time of its first appearance-in the 

 immediate Mississippi Valley, the Colorado Potato Beetle continues to extend its area of 

 distribution. It lias during the last and present seasous reached the Atlantic coast of the 

 Middle States, and is preparing an invasion in mass of the maritime parts of New Eng- 

 land, which will soon be overrun with the same ease with which it has conquered the West- 

 C 



