SECTION IV., 1900 [ Trans. R.S. C. 
C9 
el 
I.—Some Recent Work in Economic Entomology. 
By Rev. C. J. 5. Beaune, MA. D.C.L. 
(Read May 29, 1900.) 
In accordance with the regulations of this society the duty devolves 
upon me, as President of Section IV. during the present session, of 
giving you “an address having reference to the special objects of the 
section.” As we include within our objects the “ Geological and Bio- 
logical Sciences,” it would be an impossible task for any one, in these 
days of necessary specialization,.to cover the whole field or to attempt 
to give an account of all that is being accomplished in such extensive 
departments of science. Happily this difficulty is overcome by the 
system that prevails of electing from year to year to the Presidential 
chair a member who is devoted to some particular branch of study in 
relation to organized beings, whether animal or plant, whether living 
row upon the earth or belonging to some era in the far distant past. 
By this method each in turn has his opportunity of relating the pro- 
gress that is being made in his own special department of investigation, 
announcing any discoveries of importance and setting forth any note- 
worthy additions to the sum of human knowledge. 
Five years ago our colleague, Dr. James Fletcher, presented us with 
a short history of the progress of practical entomology, the subject in 
which I am more particularly interested, and two years ago I had the 
honour of reading before this section a paper on “The Rise and Progress 
of Entomology in Canada,” there remains, therefore, but a short period 
for me to cover to-day and but few matters of particular interest to 
which attention may be drawn. 
THE San Jose SCALE (ASPIDIOTUS PERNICIOSUS, COMSTK.) 
No insect attack of recent years in this country can be compared 
in importance with that of the San José Scale, and to no insect probably 
has public attention been more generally drawn. It is now a matter of 
common knowledge that the insect was first noticed as destructive in the 
San José Valley, California, in 1873, whence it has received its popular 
name, but from what part of the world it was brought to America is still 
a matter of conjecture and a subject of controversy; some contend that 
it came from Japan, others consider that the evidence points to South 
America, others again to Australia or New Zealand. The question might 
