6 • FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



acid, the difference between the two being one of purity only. Many, 

 having seen it recommended, ordered the crude acid, and, using it — 

 no matter how much diluted — they found to their sorrow that it killed 

 their plants. Carbolic acid mixes well with alkalies, but not ivith 

 water, and it can only be used as a saponaceous compound. This fact 

 must be borne in mind by those who wish to use it. 



As I shall frequently have occasion to refer to the "American 

 Entomologist," it is but proper to say, that in conjunction with Mr. 

 Benj. D. Walsh, State Entomologist of Illinois, I commenced last 

 September, the publication of that journal. It is devoted to Economic 

 Entomology, and is published monthly, by K. P. Studley & Co., of St. 

 Louis, at $1,00 per annum. We felt that pending the issuing of our 

 annual reports, something was needed, as a more frequent means of 

 communication with the people. The paper has received the highest 

 encomiums from the press throughout the country, and as an enter- 

 prise has proved successful beyond our expectations — evidence of the 

 great demand for, and need of, the kind of information which it gives. 



As there must necessarily be a limit to a report of this character, 

 I am compelled to defer till another year, accounts of the Chinch 

 Bug, Rocky Mountain Grasshopper, and some other insects which at- 

 tracted general attention during the year, and do so the more willingly, 

 that their habits have been pretty fully given in former publications, 

 and in the above periodical. 



In conclusion, I tender my sincere thanks to those gentlemen, 

 throughout the country, who have assisted me in one way or another, 

 and especially to the Superintendents of the Pacific, Iron Mountain, 

 Hannibal & St. Joseph, and North Missouri Railroads, for free passes 

 over their respective routes. 



Respectfully submitted, 



CHARLES V. RILEY, 



St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 2d, 1868. State Entomologist. 



