191Jf^ Pkoceedings ]S[. C. Academy of Science 65 



the embryo-sac develops from the lower one. It is surrounded by a 

 single nucellar layer and one thick integument. The endosperm nucleus 

 forms a cellular endosperm from the first division. The young endosperm 

 sends out a knob-Hke haustorium of one or two cells at each end. The 

 suspensor of the embryo grows up into the micropylar haustorium, to 

 some extent, forming a small enlarged knob there. As the seed grows 

 the haustoria are encroached upon and destroyed. 



STUDIES IN THE TOXICITY OF COTTONSEED MEAI, 

 W. A. Withers, R. S. Curtis and G. A. Roberts 



About one-hundred and seventy-five hogs were fed upon cottonseed 

 meal or some fraction of it. The swine died in every case after eat- 

 ing the meal for periods ranging on average from 59 to 96 days. Twenty- 

 two rabbits fed on cottonseed meal died on average of 13 days. 



With different solvents used, the extract was usually nontoxic and the 

 residue usually toxic. 



Green feed, liberal exercise and ashes seemed to be of some aid to 

 pigs in overcoming the toxic effect of Cottonseed meal. Treatment of 

 the meal with an alcoholic alkali rendered the meal non-toxic to rabbits. 

 Citrate of iron and ammonia was effective with rabbits and ferrous 

 sulphate was effective with swine as an antidote to the toxicity of cotton- 

 seed meal. 



THE LOCUST TREE CARPENTER MOTH, A FORMilDABLE 

 PARASITE OF THE OAK. 



J. J. Wolfe. 



In February, 1911, a white oak about fourteen inches in diameter, 

 on the campus of Trinity College was seen to be severely injured as a 

 result of the boring habits of what proved to be the larvae of Pryonoxys- 

 tus robiniae, commonly known as the locust tree carpenter moth. The 

 tree was cut and sections of the trunk split into two pieces. Numerous 

 winding tunnels were found throughout the heart and sap wood of the 

 trunk and larger limbs. From these were collected fourteen larvae of 

 three distinct sizes — a fact supporting the view that the insect requires 

 three years for its development. A portion of the trunk near the ground 

 was riddled with holes — points of exit — in which wood destroying fungi 

 had established themselves and threatened the destruction of the tree. 



The insect attacks several trees of the street, park and forest. Its 

 habits render it a formidable pest. Means for its control on any large 

 scale are at present wanting, but sporadic occurrences in trees of 

 streets and parks might possibly be held in check by injecting into these 

 tunnels a volatile poison and then plugging them with some waxy sub- 

 stance. 



