PROCEEDINGS, 1916. 15 



EXPLANATION OF PLATES. 



Plate 1, Fig. 1. — Schmidt box of Coleoptera. 

 Plate 1, Fig. 2 — Cyanide jar and phials for larvae. 

 Plate 1 Fig. 3 — Setting board with insects in position. 

 Plate 1, Fig. 4 — Glass topped case, containing Lepidoptera. 

 Plate 1, Fig. 5 — Inflating apparatus. 



Plate II, Fig. 1-4 — Insects of different orders, showing where pin should be inserted. 

 Plate III. Fig. 5 — An envelope with butterfly inside, showing how specimens may 



be kept when it is not convenient to spread them immediately. 

 Plate II. Fig. 6 — Paper with ruled lines, showing how to prepare the envelope. 

 Plate II. Fig. 7. — Insect net. 



Note. — The illustrations in this paper have been kindly furnished by the members 

 of the Entomological Staff, Agricultural College, Truro. 



THE NOVA SCOTIA DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



By W. H. Brittain, Provincial Entomologist. 







THE entomological work in Nova Scotia has only been carried on as a separate 

 branch of the Provincial Department of Agriculture for the past four years. Prev- 

 ious to that time Prof.H.W. Smith, as Professor of Biology at the Agricultural 

 College, and earlier at the School of Agriculture had given considerable attention to 

 entomological work in addition to his other duties and had charge of the teaching of 

 the subject to the normal and agricultural students, as well as those teachers attending 

 the summer session of the Rural Science School. In this way considerable interest had 

 developed throughout the province in entomological work. 



Owing to the great value of the Nova Scotia fruit industry, and the damage sus- 

 tained through the activities of various insects, the need for further work along entomo- 

 logical lines became increasingly apparent. The necessity for this was further empha- 

 sized by the discovery of two new and destructive insect enemies in the province, viz. 

 the Brown-tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea Linn.) and the San Jose Scale (Aspidio- 

 tus perniciosus Comst.) Recognizing the importance of this subject and the dangers to 

 which Nova Scotia fruit growers and farmers were subjected because of these pests, the 

 government in September, 1912 appointed a Provincial Entomologist in the person of 

 Dr. Robt. Matheson. 



During the year that Dr. Matheson held office a strong department was built up, 

 the work of exterminating the San Jose scale was prosecuted with vigor, a study was 

 commenced of our more important insect pests, demonstration exhibits of a number of 

 injurious insects were prepared, the regular courses at the College were attended to, 

 considerable general collecting was done, and the routine of the department carried on. 

 The department also co-operated in the Brown-tail Moth campaign with the Dominion 

 Entomological Branch. In addition to the foregoing Dr. Matheson prepared the fol- 

 lowing bulletins: — San Jose Scale situation in Nova Scotia, a Bulletin of Information, 

 Bulletin No. 3; The Injurious Insect Pest and Plant Disease Act, 1911, and the Regu- 

 lations Issued Thereunder, Bulletin No. 4; and The Brown tail and Gypsy Moths, Bul- 

 letin No. 5. Since Dr. Matheson's resignation the position has been held by the writer. 

 The work of the division follows several distinct lines. 



