141 
widely distributed throughout the United States, notwithstanding the 
feeble powers of locomotion possessed by the mite. From the blis- 
ters or galls of the leaf the mites pass in early autumn to the buds, 
among the scales of which they find the needful protection for the 
winter, and it is mostly in this condition that distribution is accom- 
plished by the affected stocks, cions or trees sent out from the nur- 
series. However, some of the mites do not escape from the leaves 
before they fall, and in this case may be scattered in an orchard 
by the wind. Their injurious operations are begun in April upon 
the undeveloped leaves in the bud. Here, as in other cases, they 
enaw through the epidermis of the under side of the leaf and infest 
the pulpy tissues within, depositing their eggs and multiplying by 
dozens or scores in the discolored area. 
It is not hazardous to say that the only remedy within practical 
reach is the total destruction of the mites by pruning and hand- 
picking. Before the number becomes very great upon a tree the 
careful gathering and burning of the affected leaves can be accom- 
plished without serious difficulty, and by following up the process 
for a few weeks a perfect cure may be relied upon. If, however, 
all or nearly all the leaves are invaded, a severe pruning in winter 
or spring (burning the twigs) should precede the attempt to free the 
tree of the pest by the summer work upon the leaves. 
THE VERBENA MITE.* 
The cultivated verbenas are subject to two diseases which cause 
much annoyance to the propagators and growers of these beau- 
tiful flowering plants. On is known as mildew, the other as black 
rust, These two maladies are entirely distinct in origin as well as 
in appearance, yet they have been, unfortunately, much mixed in 
the literature upon the subject, as well as in the popular use of the 
terms by florists. The first appears as a white, mealy powdering of 
the leaves, though the latter, after a time, die in spots or altgether, 
and then become dark colored. It is this latter condition that has 
caused many to misuse the name more correctly applied to the 
second disease, This mildew is a mold-like fungus growing upon the 
surface of the leaves and stems, and absorbing by contact the 
* Specimens of this mite were sent me for examination by Prof. Burrill, and prove to 
belong to the peculiar genus Dendroptus, Kramer, and to the family Tar sonemida of Con- 
estriniand Fanzago. “They seem to represent a new species, dnd will be deseribed in a 
later paper. Other species were discovered by me, several years ago, on the soft maple 
(Acer dasycarpum) and arbor vite (Thuja occidentalis). and they would thus appear to have 
a wide range of plantfood. Those I have noticed have always been very rare. Professor 
3urrill’s observations show that they may become very abundant, and that we have in 
them a third group ot plant-mites which may commit as serious depredations as the 
spinning mites and Phytopti. Dr. Kramer is reported as stating that galls may be pro- 
duced by species of Dendroptus which are not distinguishable from those of Phytopti. I 
have found Dendroptus in growths which were undoubtedly produced by a Phytoptus, 
and I am not satisfied that the former ever cause growths of their own. In order that the 
mites may be recognized where injuring plants, I subjoin a brief description : 
Very small,almostinvisible to the naked eye. Body flattened, vvalin outline when viewed 
from above; anterior part separated from the posterior part by a distinct groove. Legs 
8; the two anterior pairs widely separated from the two posterior pairs, Three anterior 
pairs of legs, essentially alike in both sexes, the last article having two divergent claws 
with a dise or plantula between them. Fourth pair of legs in the female almost rudiment- 
ary, consisting of but two articles and terminating intwo long hairs. Fourth pair of legs in 
the male consisting of four articies, the second of which is very large and expanded, and 
flattened within; the fourth article is a simple, strong claw. There area few seattered 
hairs on the body, and Dr. Kramer describes the integument as made up of imbricated 
rings, but these are so indistinet that they will not ordinarily be seen.—H. G. 
