189 



having to be washed down and the floors scrubbed with disinfectants ; while during 

 the process many pounds ofsulphur have been burned in order that the fumes may aid 

 in the work of destruction."— [James Fletcher, Ottawa, Canada, October 31, 1889. 



Spider Bites — Two Ceylonese Cases. 



Since reading your several notices of spider bites in America, two cases have come 

 under my own observation. In both cases the patients (Tamil coolies) were bitten 

 on the hand by the large, hairy spider, Ali/gale fasciata, while working in the field. 

 Both patients comi)lained of recurring spasms followed by soreness and muscular 

 paius extending through the leg, arm, andneck on the affected side. The local medical 

 officer applied, m one case, fuming nitric acid to the puncture, and in the second case 

 injected permanganate of potassium. This second treatment seems to have been the 

 most successful, the painful symptoms abating in a much shorter period. — [E. Ernest 

 Green, Eton, Punduloya, Ceylon, October 5, 1889. 



Scent in Dung-beetles. 



I have just returned from gathering a load of moss {Sphagnum) out of a swamp 

 miles in extent, where I saw a most, remarkable illustration of the power of smell in 

 insects. The day was mild and still, and there in the midst of the swamp the excre- 

 ment of my horse attracted a large number of the small dark scavenger beetle, about 

 the size of a horse-fly, so common in cleared lands at this season of the year. They all 

 came from the direction of the higher land. I have long been of the opinion that 

 the power of scent was stronger in insects than m any other department of animated 

 creation. * * * —[W, W. Meech, Vineland, N. J., October 18, 1889. 



Beetles from Stomach of a " Chuck-'wills-widovy." 



I send by mail some "bugs" taken from the stomach of a Chuck-wills-widow. Please 

 state name, and whether injurious to agriculture. — [G. H. Eagsdale, Gainesville, 

 Cook County, Tex., May 12, 188G. 



Reply. — » * * I beg to acknowledge the receipt of yours of recent date, ac- 

 companied by insects taken from the stomach of the Chuck-wills-widow (Antrostomus 

 carolinensis). This bird has a curious habit of bolting these large beetles whole 

 while on the wing. There are two species in your sending. One is Ligyrns gihbosus, 

 a species the larva of which feeds upon the root of sunflower, and which has been 

 recorded as doing considerable damage in Nebraska, where the sunflower is grown 

 as a crop ; the other is Lachnosterna rngosa, a southern representative of the com- 

 mon May beetle of the north. The larva of this insect is a white grub and doubt- 

 less feeds on the roots of grass and similar vegetation. — [May 18, 1886.] 



^ Harvest-mite Destroying the Eggs of the Potato-beetle. 



I send you inclosed in small box a specimen of an insect found by me feeding upon 

 the eggs of the Colorado Potato beetle. I have been troubled every year a great deal 

 by the ravages of the slugs, but this summer there are none upon my vines, though 

 the usual number of old beetles are seen depositing their eggs. This insect may be as 

 common as the house-fly, but he is new to me, and has won my gratitude. Perhaps 

 you may be interested in him, but if not no harm will be done in placing him before 

 your notice.— [Charles C. Bryant, Silver Lake P. O., Kingston, Mass., June 18, 1886. 



Eeply. — * * * rpj^g insect which you found feeding on the eggs of the 

 Colorado Potato-beetle is a Harvest-mite of the genus Tromhidium. It appears, so far 

 as I can ascertain, to be a new species, and consequently we should be very glad to 

 receive further specimens. Is it at all common with you ? I think that no record 

 has been published of the work of any Harvest-mite upon the eggs of the Potato- 

 beetle, and in consequence your letter possesses considerable interest. » » • — 

 £ June 22, 1886.] 



