282 



M. Jeau Diifouriii the Chronique Affricole, Viticole et Forestier dii Can- 

 ion de Vaux, November 10, 1891, pp. 376-81, where he gives the life- 

 history of this parasite and records a series of experiments conducted 

 in the Liboratory in pots, together with corresponding experiments in 

 the field. These experiments showed that the disease can be dissem- 

 inated to a certain extent by iufestiDg the soil with artificial cultures 

 or with fraguients or entire specimens of diseased larva?, but they also 

 indicated to M. Dufour's satisfaction that the method is not entirely 

 effective as a remedy, even in the laboratory experiments where the 

 conditions could be accurately governed. A large percentage of the 

 treated larvae resisted the disease, and in the field experiments the per- 

 centage of affected larva? was considerably less. 



In view of the differing opinions among actual experimenters we may 

 safely render a verdict of not yet proven. This idea of destroying in- 

 jurious insects by contagious diseases is such a fascinating one that 

 only the most careful investigators will escape the danger of drawing 

 ill-founded deductions from their experiments. 



PARIS GREEN AND THE HONEY BEE. 



Prof. J. A. Lintner, of New York, was present at one of the sessions 

 of the late convention of the North American Beekeepers' Association, 

 held at Albany, and "asked to be allowed to say a few words" in regard 

 to the practice of spraying fruit trees with arsenical poisons. He 

 thought experiments were necessary toprove that bees were ever killed 

 by the siDraying of fruit trees. He doubted if they ever were killed in 

 this way, and desired that samples of bees apparently killed in this 

 manner be sent him for analysis, which would be satisfactory proof. 



A committee of three was appointed to look after a series of experi- 

 ments to prove this and to act with Professor Lintner. 



To those familiar with the literature of bee culture I need not say 

 that there is little room for doubt as to the injury done by spraying 

 during fruit bloom. Instances and complaints are heard on every 

 side during the spring. One speaker on the subject said, " Beekeepers 

 never have good, strong, healthy colonies die during apple bloom. It is 

 a thing unheard of except where trees have been si)rayed in the neigh- 

 borhood during bloom." But the convention evidentl}^ saw wherein 

 present proof was defective and hence appointed the committee. It is 

 hoped that positive proof will be forthcoming that if necessary proper 

 laws may be made regulating the spraying so that the rights of the 

 little busy bee may not be interfered with. — J. H. Larrabee. 



EAST INDIA BEETLES. 



We have received through the Trustees of the Indian Museum the 

 continuation of the Catalogue of the Coleoptera of the Oriental Eegions, 

 by the late E. T. Atkinson. This installment is published as a supple- 





