XXXIV 
liability to rot,” not being “used to any extent in packing:” the 
only other possible danger being that of conveying the insect “ in 
sufficiently large lumps of earth, either as larva, pupa, or beetle ;” 
which he considers may be effectually prevented by requiring the 
American dealers “carefully to avoid the use of the haulm or 
straw, and to ship none but clean potatoes, as free as possible 
from earth.” 
He continues to dwell upon the importance of furnishing vessels 
“with cards giving illustrated descriptions of the insect in all its 
stages ;” in order that “the passengers and crew may destroy any 
stray specimens that may be found” on board,—a precaution 
which, he states, has recently been adopted by the German 
Government. He, however, ridicules the idea that the beetle 
would not become readily acclimatized in this country if imported, 
and is “decidedly of opinion that they delude themselves who 
suppose that this Doryphora could not thrive in the greater part 
of Europe; and that to abandon all precautionary measures 
against its introduction, on such grounds, would be the height of 
folly.” 
He adds, with much plausibility, that an insect which has 
spread so widely in America and in such different latitudes—“ in 
fact wherever the potato succeeds”—is not likely to “be dis- 
comfited in the potato-growing districts of Europe.” 
Mr. Riley also refers to ‘‘ many authenticated cases of poisoning 
by the fumes from the scalded insects ;” but does not ascribe such 
results to the so-called “‘ Paris Green” (arseno-acetate of copper) 
employed in a diluted form with flour and water as a remedial 
measure. On the contrary, he states that since this “‘mixture came 
into vogue we have heard much less of potato-bug poisoning.” 
Dr. Leconte and others have entertained suspicions as to the 
deleterious effects of the arsenious acid upon the soil and upon 
the tubers themselves; but Mr. Riley contends that there is 
nothing to fear from the mixture in the highly diluted state now 
commonly adopted; and he appeals to the experience of the past 
six years, during which millions of bushels of potatoes have been 
thus raised, without any injurious consequences to the tubers or 
to the consumers. 
