INJURIOUS INSECTS. 151 



after it was applied, a spraying with water followed. The 

 antiseptic properties of kerosene are surprising to one unfamiliar 

 with its use in that direction. At Hull, the Tent Caterpillars had 

 been working vigorously, and were well developed when his family 

 arrived at their summer home. Mr. Markoe collected about two 

 gallons of these insects, and , put into the receptacle containing 

 them a half-pint of kerosene. This not only killed every one, 

 but it preserved them also, and quite as well as if treated with 

 corrosive sublimate. 



Mr. Fowler remarked that Locust Borers are not so plentiful 



in New York state as formerly. At one time it was feared that 

 all the locust trees would be destroyed. 



Mr. Jack, replying to a question, said he did not know of any 

 parasite on the Locust Borers ; still there might be such. There 

 are parasites on some borers ; some of them are provided with 

 very long ovipositors to reach into the burrows of their prey. 

 Such parasites are no doubt of much benefit. 



Thomas L. Harrison inquired whether the Locust Borers ever 

 attack apple trees or pine trees. 



Mr. Jack replied that the Locust Borers never attack apple or 

 pine trees; they do not attack even the honey locust {Gleditsclna 

 triacanthos) . As to pine trees, if they are thoroughly healthy he 

 did not think they were likely to be aft'ected by borers. Rut if 

 a pine tree is injured, or becomes weakened by any cause, borers 

 will soon be at work upon it. 



Francis H. Appleton stated that he had seen pine trees which 

 were completely riddled by ants. 



Mr. Jack said that true or black ants are very apt to go into trees 

 which have been affected by borers, diseases or other injuries, but 

 that they do not themselves injure the trees in the first place. The 

 insects known as Termes or "White Ants" do sometimes affect 

 living wood. 



Professor Markoe called attention to a preparation, recom- 

 mended as an effective protection from ants. He had found on 

 analysis that it consisted of one part boric (formerly boracic) 

 acid, and three parts of starch, by weight in each case, and both 

 to be in fine powder. He was confident that it was a slow poison 

 to most insects. The only objection to it was that the cost, for 

 use in a large way, was prohibitive. 



It was announced that on the next Saturday, a paper on 

 "Metropolitan Parks" would be read by Sylvester Baxter, Ex- 

 Secretary of the Metropolitan Park Commission, Maiden. 



