754 



garden at 8t. Albans. This is a Japanese species and has probably 

 been introduced on nursery stock. The following species are also 

 recorded ; — Pseudococcus sphagni, sp. n., in nests of Formica incea ; 

 P. gahani, sp. n., on Rihes sangiimea ; CryjJtococcus fagi, Baerensp., 

 on beech trees at Camberley, associated with Hemerobiid, Psocid and 

 Dipterous larvae ; Fonscolomha fraxini, Kalt., on ash and Pulvinaria 

 vitis, L., on birch, lime and Camellm. 



Moore (W.) & Ruggles (A. G.). The Action of Potassium Cyanide 

 when introduced into Tissues of a Plant. — Science, Philadelphia, 

 xlii, no. 1070, 2nd July 1915, pp. 33-36. 



As a result of experiments to determine the effect of potassium 

 cyanide on the tissues of a plant and the application of this substance 

 to the destruction of injurious boring insects, the conclusion is reached 

 that unless the insects can be definitely located in the tree, treatment 

 is of little or no value. It might be locally applied where a wood- 

 borer has been located, by drilling a hole just beneath it and introducing 

 the potassium cyanide, or where the borer has made a large tunnel, 

 the cyanide could be placed in this. For the majority of wood-borers, 

 such as inhabit oaks and bore in the cambium layer, this treatment is 

 useless, since the hydrocyanic acid does not travel in the cambium but 

 only through the old tracheae. To be successful against sucking 

 insects, the gas would have to pass through the vascular system or 

 between the outer surface and the vascular system. The latter is 

 possible in herbaceous or semi- woody plants, but would endanger their 

 life. In woody trees, where the path of the gas is in the tracheae, 

 there seems to be no danger to the tree, as the tracheae are already 

 dead. Excessive amounts might however prove dangerous. 



Bryce (G.). Rhinoceros Beetle Fungus. — Tropical Agriculturist, 

 Peradeniya, xlv, no. 3, September 1915, p. 150. 



Cultures of the fungus Metarrhizum anisopliae, Metch., were brought 

 to Peradeniya from the Philippines, Malay States, Hawaii and Samoa. 

 No growth was obtained from the last two cultures, but the Philippine 

 and Malay fungi have been established as pure cultures. Experiments 

 on the larvae of the rhinoceros beetle [Oryctes rhinoceros] show that 

 this fungus infests the young larvae, but not those which are well grown 

 and are kept under conditions nearly approximating to their normal 

 environment. Field experiments with this fungus in breeding traps 

 for rhinoceros beetles are still in progress. 



Browne (W. de C). A Pest of Coconuts. — Tropical Agriculturist, 

 Peradeniya, xlv, no. 3, September 1915. p. 152. 



The use of kerosene emulsion against the Hispid beetle, Brontispa 

 frogatti, on coconuts in the Solomon Islands has been discontinued in 

 favour of cutting off the infested parts, thus getting rid of the pupae 

 and eggs of the pest. After cutting, a wash of arsenate of lead in 

 combination with Bordeaux mixture is applied. The portions removed 

 are collected and burned. If this treatment is systematically carried 

 out, this pest can be almost eliminated. Cutting does not appear to 

 affect the growth of the palm. 



