ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 25 



produces the Boletus igniarius which nourishes the Toad Beetle, Boletophagus corticola, 

 Say. A fallen hemlock becomes the food of the Prionus grubs. (Fig. 10.) The creatures 

 are well known to every farmer who has had to clear his land of the half rotten trophies 

 of his early triumphs over the wilderness. 



It yet remains for me to say a few words (3) concerning a borer which attacks the 

 poplars, the latest growth on neglected brush lands. The insect is Cossus centerensis, 

 Lintner. It belongs to the order lepidoptera. The perfect insect is a large moth with 

 crape-like wings, dark grey in colour, reticulated with fine black lines. It mikes its ap- 

 pearance in July. The male is smaller than the female. The presence of the larva is 

 betrayed by the frass, or half digested sawdust, which it throws out, in early summer, 

 from its burrow in the tree. On attaining its full siz", the caterpillar retires some inches 

 into the tree, and assumes its chrysalis condition. In due time, the chrysalis, by means 

 of a series of serrated rings on its body, works it way along the tunnel bored by the 

 larva, to the surface of the tree, and forces itself through, so as to clear its wing cases. 

 The skin then bursts, and the perfect insect makes its escape. 



In bringing this brief history to a conclusion I would bear in mind that the aim of 

 all historians should be to convert the mistakf s of the past into lessons for the future ; 

 and I would ofier a few practical hints : — - 



I. Believing in the powers of the press, I would commend to all newspaper editors 

 the practice of devoting a column to the discussion of rural affairs. Under a judicious 

 editor the practice is invaluable, for many men in country places read the newspaper, and 

 read little else. 



II. In all normal and training schools, teachers should be led to see the importance 

 of training the young in habits of prudence, forethought and economy For want of 

 the exercise of such qualities in his early days many a farmer has now to buy his fire- 

 wood, or to obtain it from a distance at the expense of much time and labour. 



III. I would recommend farmers to thin out their sugar woods, plantations and 

 copses, so that the trees may have ample room to spread their roots and obtain a firm 

 hold on the earth, that they may not easily be overturned by a tempest. 



IV. I should say, do not over-prune, and prune in the winter when the sap has 

 ceased to work. Cover all wounds with grafting wax or oil-paint. Neglect of these 

 precautions will throw the trees into a condition which will assuredly invite the attacks 

 of destructive insects. 



Lastly, I should say, tap your maple trees with care ; use a duck-bill augur and 

 cedar spouts, which " give " and do not split the bark. 



A cordial vote of thanks to the Mayor, for his kindness in presiding on the occasion 

 and allowing the use of the city hall for the meeting, was proposed by Mr. Dearness, 

 who spoke very happily of the pleasure and instruction which they had all received 

 from the addresses of the evening, and was seconded by Mr. Siunders, and adopted by 

 the meeting with much applause. 



Mr. E. R. C'AMEnQN then moved, seconded by Mr. S. H. Craig, a vote of thanks to 

 the speakers who had come from a distance to address them, and had afforded them 

 so much gratification. After putting the motion, the meeting was closed with a few 

 pleasant remarks from the Mayor, who wished the Entomological Society of Ontario a 

 long continued and prosperous career. 



THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28th.— MORNING SESSION. 



Thb meeting was called to order at 10 o'clock, a.m., the chair being taken by 

 Mr. Fletcher. The reports of the various sections of the Society were presented and 

 read by their respective secretaries. 



