224 
edible products had previously been brought to this country. <A con- 
siderable proportion of the injurious cosmopolitan species are still con- 
fined in the United States to the Atlantic and Pacific coast cities and 
to the neighborhood of large commercial centers. 
ON THE DANGER OF NEW INTRODUCTIONS. 
The interchange of seeds, it was learned by inquiry, was confined 
almost entirely to the countries whose exhibits were free from any 
dangerous species. This interchange and the promiscuous distribu- 
tion of seeds practically ceased with the appearance of the circular 
sent out from Mr. Buchanan’s office requesting the abandonment of 
the same. Thousands of samples were taken away from open bagsand 
other receptacles, but the insects infesting such exposed samples were 
for the most part confined to the commonest species, and the chances 
of introduction from these handfuls are extremely small. The same is 
true of the sheaves of cereals used in the decorations, which were 
taken away in armfuls by visitors at the close of the Fair. Finally, the 
very thorough work of disinfection, as presently set forth, diminished 
the chances of undesired introductions to a minimum. 
The four species already mentioned as those from which the greatest 
danger was to be apprehended, viz, the unknown species of Crypto- 
phagide, Litargus, Dinoderus, and Spermophagus, are tropical species, 
and could hardly become acclimated at the North. One or more of 
them might have become established in the extreme Southern States if 
they had escaped, but I do not hesitate to say, considering all the facts, 
that the probabilities of such a contingency are slight, and that no 
species which affect stored grain or other vegetable products have been 
distributed or have found a foothold in regions where they could multi- 
ply and become injurious. On the whole, therefore, it may be confi- 
dently stated that a thorough review of the facts gives assurance that’ 
no dangerous introductions were made, for, even if some of the species 
indicated as not previously found within our borders should become 
established, they are of such a nature as not to compare with the more 
cosmopolitan and injurious species which already affect our grain and 
which we already have to contend with. 
TREATMENT OF INFESTED CEREAL EXHIBITS. 
I was quite anxious that nothing should be left undone to effectually 
disinfect or destroy those exhibits which contained species that were 
new to North America and which were undesirable introductions, and, 
although unable to remain until the close of the Exposition or carry on 
this work personally, [ was glad to be able to make an arrangement 
with Mr. Buchanan whereby Mr. Chittenden was especially engaged 
