October, '09] JOURNAL OP ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 371 



experiments were made with remedies, but there is still much to be learned 

 in this line. In spite of the observations of Messrs. Sirrine and Headlee that 

 this cucumber beetle is expert in avoiding poisoned portions of a plant, as good 

 results have been obtained by others in the use of arsenate of lead as for 

 the Colorado potato beetle. Trap crops are also valuable and additional ex- 

 periments should be made with them. F. H. C. 



Insect Friends and Enemies: The Relation of Insects to Man, 

 to Other Animals, to One Another, and to Plants, with a Chapter 

 on the War Against Insects, by John B. Smith, J. B. Lippincott 

 Co., p. 1-134, 1909. 



This popular work is a remarlvably sympathetic and accurate discussion of 

 the relationships between insects and their environment. The writer's ex- 

 tensive experience as a practical entomologist and his intimate knowledge of 

 the literature have enabled him to produce a thoroughly modern and very 

 readable and atti'active book, covering certain fields which have not hereto- 

 fore been adequately treated in popular literature. The various chapters, ai"- 

 ranged largely along systematic lines, have for their chief purpose the ex- 

 hibition of the numerous interrelations existing between the different insects 

 and their relation to other organisms. The practical value of the book is 

 greatly increased by numerous references to the more important injurious 

 species for the purpose of illustrating the discussions. The chapters on in- 

 sects in their relation to each other comprises a clear presentation of the value 

 of parasites and incidentally summarizes certain recent biological discoveries. 

 Birds come in for rather severe strictures on page 134. though the author ad- 

 mits their value under certain conditions and very properly regards them as 

 but one of the natural checks on insect life. The treatment of insects in 

 their relation to other animals, to man and the household is exceptionally full 

 and is practically an economic discussion of the more important forms. The 

 ■chapter on the war on insects is devoted mostly to insecticides and their ap- 

 plication. The volume is illustrated with a large series of figures, taken mostly 

 from the author's earlier publications, and an excellent plate (original) de- 

 picting in natural colors the chief insect pests of the household. 



The general public will find in this volume a vast amount of interesting 

 and valuable information respecting insects, while the investigator will fre- 

 quently refer thereto because of the excellent summaries, especially of the 

 recent investigations in regard to insects and their part in the dissemination of 

 disease. 



On Certain Seed Infesting Chalcis-Flies, by Cyrus K. Crosby, 

 C. Univ. Agric. Exp't. Sta. Bull. 265, p. 367-388, 1909. 



This is an admirable Investigation of minute, hitherto almost unnoticed 

 forms, several of which are of considerable Importance. A table showing 

 the systematic position of the Phytophagous Chalcids is followed by his- 

 torical, biological and descriptive accounts of several species, with special 

 reference to methods of controlling the injurious or potentially injurious 

 forms. The numerous illustrations are excellent and the author is to be 

 congratulated upon making a substantial addition to our knowledge of this 

 group. 



