146 



an Agrilus larva. Numerous infested twigs were collected, but I failed 

 to breed an adult. The same thing was subsequently found killing 

 the twigs on oaks in Wood and Monongalia counties, W. Va. 



A Lima-hean horer. — September 8, a Lepidopterous larva was found 

 causing considerable damage to Lima-bean vines in Wood County, W. 

 Va. The larva was about one inch long, the body uniform purple above 

 and light blue beneath. It occupied about two inches of the vine, caus- 

 ing a swelling or kind of gall, in this respect resembling the habits of 

 the common stalk-borer {Gortyna nitela). When miore than one larva 

 occurred in a plant it died from the injury. I also failed to rear the 

 adult of this insect. 



Indications that Cyllene picta emerges in the fall. — September 24, a 

 hickory log was observed that had beeu cut in the spring of 1893 

 which was infested with great numbers of the larvre and pupte of Cyl- 

 lene picta. Numerous holes in the bark indicated that adults had 

 emerged. None could be found in the wood, however; but fully 

 matured pupai were found. If the imago of this s.pecies does emerge in 

 the fall the fact is probably unrecorded. 



The Columbian harkheetlc. — October 7, I discovered the Scolytid 

 which I subsequently described under the name of Corthylus colum- 

 bianus. This insect and its work was the subject of a special investi- 

 gation, which led to the determination of numerous heretofore unknown 

 facts with reference to defects in wood caused by inse(;ts and other 

 agencies, some of which are mentioned in Bulletins 35 and 3G of our 

 station, and others will be mentioned in this and other papers to be 

 read during the present session of the American Association. 



The investigation led to the discovery that what has been considered 

 a serious defect in lumber, causing an immense loss to lumber manu- 

 facturers, is not, in fact, a detriment in material for certain uses, 

 but, on the contrary, may be desirable. Considerable interest has 

 already been manifested by manufacturers, house and furniture builders, 

 regarding the statement of this fact in Bulletin 36 of the West Vir- 

 ginia station, and the indications are that a demand will thus be cre- 

 ated for oak, "yellow poplar," and other woods containing the natural 

 stains resulting from the attack of this insect. If so, the amount saved 

 to the lumber manufacturers and owners of timber in our State will be 

 inestimable. 



Injury to wood by iroodpeckers. — While studying the work of the 

 Columbian timber-beetle I discovered that woodpeckers cause an injury 

 to the outer sapwood of living trees which results in certain charac- 

 teristic defects which reduces the value of the lumber and causes 

 considerable loss. While examining the work of the birds I found 

 that the punctures made by them in the bark of growing tulip trees 

 caused a wrinkled or knotty condition in the surface of the Avood 

 beneath the bark. This led to my discovering, in a few days after, that 

 an unnatural and much admired condition of the wood, known as 



