195 



opteran. In referring to the latter insect, which he calls Eurytoma 

 oleariw, he states that while it seems likely that this insect is a gall- 

 producer, it may be only a messmate of a Cecidomyia, as its larvae and 

 pupa? are found mixed indiscriminately with those of the Cecidomyia, 

 although in separate cells. He inclines to the belief that the Ceci- 

 domyia produces the galls and that the Eurytoma makes use of them 

 as a residence. In considering this question he refers to the Joint 

 Worm as Eurytoma Jiordei, and states that it is not certain that it is 

 phytophagous, but that it maybe only parasitic upon the larva of Ceci- 

 domyia. In this remark Mr. Maskell is behind the times, as there is no 

 longer any question of the phytophagous nature of this species, but his 

 greatest mistake occurs in the identification of the insect which he con- 

 siders a Eurytomid. As his figures show, it is not an Eurytoma, and 

 does not even belong to the family CJialcididcc. Specimens which he 

 has kindly sent us show that it is a Proctotrupid of the subfamily Pla- 

 tygasterimv, and belonging to the genus Monocrita. This identification 

 of the insect renders it quite certain that it is a parasite. 



VERTEBRATE ENEMIES OF THE WHITE GRUB. 



Prof. C. W. Hargitt, of Miami University, in an article on the White 

 Grub, contributed to the Oxford (Ohio) News of April 6 last, gives from 

 his personal observations some interesting notes upon the subjectof this 

 note. He finds that the crow is among the most active and constant 

 enemies of this insect. 



His presence iu flocks, promenading pastures and meadows, is almost wholly due to 

 his taste for this pest, as has been abundantly proved by an examination made upon 

 the stomach and crop. 



The robin and the blackbird he states to be hardly less active as de- 

 vourers of the grub. 



He also cites the sparrow-hawk, king-bird, jay, and the golden wood- 

 pecker as of less importance. 



Among mammals he cites the mole and the skunk, while dissections 

 of frogs showed several grubs and many adult beetles. In a single frog 

 stomach six full-grown May-beetles were found. 



NEW METHOD OF DESTROYING SCALE-INSECTS. 



We understand that a patent has been issued to Mr. Edwin P. Fowler, 

 of National City, Cal., for a process of dislodging and destroying scale- 

 Insects by means of a sand blast. We have been acquainted with the 

 fact that this application was before the Patent Office for some time, but 

 have been unable to ])ublish anything concerning it pending its con- 

 sideration. The plan is an ingenious one, but whether it will pay or 

 not is a matter for future experiment. A fan-blower or other apparatus 

 capable of creating an artificial current of air is employed ; the current 

 is directed against the tree, and in its transit from the fan is charged 

 with sand. The force of the current is carefully gauged and the sand 

 mav be heated. 



