46 



THE LANCASTER FARMER. 



[ March, 



of the kind. I knew that both the membership and 

 community among whom they are located are prone 

 to become "weary in well doing," iu any matter in 

 which they have not an immediate worldly interest. 

 I knew that to make it a success its members must 

 take up a cross and bear it, of the weight of which 

 the world around them had little or no appreciation, 

 and of whicli they themselves may not have had a 

 very clear conceiition ; and, therefore, whatever 

 credit I may be cLtitlecl to as one of its organic found- 

 ers, and iu sustaining it tlius far, I do not claim to 

 have been an original mover in its first organization. 

 The Founders. 

 I think that credit is due to Prof. Porter, J. R. 

 Sypher, J. M. Seitz, and perhaps one or two others, 

 possibly Messrs. Stauffer and Keviuski. I knew it 

 would interfere with my progress in entomology, 

 and hence I committed myself to the Linniean enter- 

 prise with some reluctance, for this reason and those 

 already stated. But I cannot say that I have ever 

 regretted my connection with it and have never 

 abated, and never intended to abate any energy of 

 mine that seemed necessary to continue its existence. 

 Disappointed in One Particular. 

 There is one result, however, in which I was dis- 

 appointed — a disappointment that was shared by all 

 the original members— and that is, that there were 

 not to be found at least half a dozen young men of 

 leisure and means in the city and county of Lancas- 

 ter to actively identify themselves with our organi- 

 zation, and select some specialty in natural science 

 for study and practical amplification. In proportion 

 to the wealth and population of our county there 

 should have been more than the number I have men- 

 tioned ; but there should have been that number at 

 least. There are several of our committees that have 

 never been more than nominally occupied. When 

 those committees were created it was expected that 

 they would have been filled by active naturalists, but 

 it has been otherwise. 



Where True Science Leads. 

 Of course it cannot be expected that in a country 

 constituted as ours, is any very great numlierof per- 

 sons, in any community, would devote their minds 

 and energies to the development of natural science, 

 although there are many young men who would 

 have done far better by submitting to its redeeming 

 and elevating qualities than iu pursuing the course 

 they have. A young man who is disinte'restedly cul- 

 tivating a real love for natural science cannot be- 

 come "tit for treasons, for strategems and forspoils," 

 for if he becomes thoroughly imbued with its spirit 

 it cannot but "lead him up through nature to na- 

 ture's God." It may be otherwise where the aim is 

 no higher than a mere pecuniary speculation, or 

 where it is pursued from merely selfish considerations. 

 Who the Founders Were. 

 The Linnsean Society was developed from the 

 Committee on Natural Science of the Athenaeum and 

 Historical Society. That committee, so far as I am 

 able to recall the names of its members, consisted of 

 Professors Haldeman,' Porter and AVickersham, .J. 

 R. Sypher, J. Stauffer, Chas. A. Heinitsh, Jno. B. 

 Kevinski, J. A. Sheaff, Wm. L. Gill, J. M. Seitz, 

 Chas. B. Grubb and S. S. Rathvon. Some among 

 this committee felt that it ought not to be merely a 

 dead letter in the annals of the society, conspicu- 

 ously among whom were Porter, Sypher and Seitz ; 

 but the parent society atTorded them no facilities. 

 An Independent Organization. 

 At length the formation of an independent society 

 was proposed, and in due time carried into elfect. 

 Soon a collection of rocks, fossils and shells, donated 

 by Mr. Sypher, plants by Prof. Porter, minerals by 

 Kevinski, insects, minerals and books by Mr. Stauf- 

 fer and myself, Indian relics by Mr. Gill, and sundry 

 other donations, culminated in the nucleus of a mu- 

 seum, and a few cases were provided ; and, from 

 that feeble beginning, theu and there, the institu- 

 tion has been brought down to the present period. 

 What the Linnaean Possesses. 

 The material that the society has already accu- 

 mulated would count many thousands of specimens, 

 and would require.three timesthe space we now occupy 

 to separate, classify, and systematically arrange 

 them ; and until this is done, no one not acquaint- 

 ed with the collection can have a clear conception of 

 ■what it contains, nor can it perform the uses intended 

 by a scientific museum. But this should not work a 

 relaxation of our eUbrts. Even in its present condi- 

 tion it is an object of attraction and use to those who 

 may avail themselves of its advantages. Our aim 

 should be to make it an object library, to which the 

 students of our local history could always refer with 

 profit. We h»ve done more during the last year to 

 etfect that end than has been accomplished in any 

 five previous years, and if time and pecuniary means 

 can be obtained, we hope to effect an appreciable 

 advance during the present year. 

 No Failures. 

 During those seventeen years the Linnaean has 

 never failed, but in two instances, to hold its regular 

 monthly meetings, and to annually elect its board of 

 officers. It is true, its meetings were at no time 

 largely attended, but it always had a quorum pres- 

 ent and transacted its usual business. I recall with 

 pleasure its early excursions and field meetings, and 



often regretted that they were subsequently diverted 

 from their original aims and ends. These meetings 

 were finally absorbed by the " Tiicqiian Scientiflc 

 and Piscatorial Assotiation," most of whose mem- 

 bership were bent upon rural recreation only, and 

 had very little practical sympathy with the Lin- 

 naean. Our visits to the "Indian Rocks" in the Sus- 

 quehanna, our excursions to the Colebrook and 

 Martic Hills, to McCall's Ferry, to Smithville 

 Swamps and elsewhere were all conducted under the 

 inspirations of, and for the collection of material, 

 and the development of, natural science. But, as in 

 all similar organizations, some of its early working 

 members died, some removed to other fields of labor, 

 and others became indifferent or cold. 



The Friends of the Linnaean. 

 Let me not be understood as intimating that the 

 Linnsan Society has not had its friends and patrons, 

 who have always felt kindly towards it, and who 

 have generously contributed their pecuniary means 

 towards its support, so far as they deemed it expedi- 

 ent, in connection with other obligations almost 

 without number constantly resting upon them ; but 

 its friends and patrons were not among the Asa 

 Packers, the Samuel George Mortons, the Mr. Par- 

 dees and the Doctor Wilsonsof society— those whole- 

 souled men, who have disinterestedly endowed simi- 

 lar institutions with thousands and tens of thou- 

 sand!. I believe I speak the sentiments of the 

 society when I say it feels thankful for what has 

 been done for it from time to time ; and especially to 

 those who have so freely assisted it during the past 

 year. But still we must regret that our means are 

 too scanty to place it upon that plane of use to the 

 public which we all so much desire. 



Building Better than They Knew. 

 In this connection allow me to suggest that we are 

 at no time so liable to suffer from the underestima- 

 tion of the public, as from our own underestimation 

 of the work we have in hand. There is material 

 enough in our museum, limited as it may appear, 

 the proper investigation of which would occupy 

 several years. The future may develop that we did 

 not know whitherto we were working. " We do not 

 know how great things we may be beginning in the 

 little achievements of the present hour." The 

 patriots of the Revolution had no conception of the 

 mighty empire, the foundations of which were laid, 

 when they threw off the British yoke a hundred 

 yeari ago. The Rev. David Swing, in a recent dis- 

 course in reference to the formation of language, 

 said: " When Dante was laying the foundations of 

 Italian speech, he thought he was only singing in the 

 memory of a sainted girl ; and when Chaucer was 

 busy with the construction of the English tongue, 

 he thought he was only telling some good stories for 

 the delight of the few around his feet." 



Looking Hopefully into the Future. 

 We of the present day are, perhaps, not the best 

 qualified to tell what will ultimately become of the 

 Linnaean Society, nor what ought to become of it, if, 

 in the order of Providence, it is best that it should 

 be continued. Within my own lifetime the Oreat 

 Academy of Natural Sciences occupied a little obscure 

 room, no larger than ours, in the city of Philadel- 

 phia. But, should it peradventure come to naught, 

 it cannot be erased from the chronicles of history, 

 and at the very worst, it will only be catalogued 

 with the things that were. Our aim should be that 

 such a reproach may not fall upon us. Not neglect- 

 ing other more pressing duties, let us, in sustaining 

 it, do all we can ; the best can do no more, and in 

 doing all lies the power we exercise — its blessings 

 and its compensations. 



This paper was listened to with profound attention 

 from beginning to end , and deemed too good to be lost 

 upon the few members present, and, on motion, he 

 was unanimously requested to have ft published. 



Scientific Miscellany 

 was indulged in : On prehistoric ages-European 

 ignorance as to the extent of our country— the 

 meagre account in the geographies they have in their 

 schools. Prof. Dubbs gave some graphic specimens 

 bearing on the question occurring in Germany ; Mrs. 

 Gibbons of some in France. Rev. J. S. Stahr, Dr. 

 Baker, Dr. Davis and J. Stauffer, each had some- 

 thing of interest to say. 



After a pleasant meeting in the comfortable room 

 over the library, they parted, well pleased with the 

 meeting and the accommodations of the Young 

 Men's Christian Association's neat and comfortable 

 room. Adjourned, to meet the last Saturday in March. 



An Ancient House and Barn. 

 We were shown, by Mr. Levi S. Reist, a large and 

 excellent photograph— by Wm. L. Gill— of Isaac 

 Long's house and barn, in Manheim twp., near Lan- 

 dis Valley, both buildings being considerably over 100 

 years old. The barn is large, part stone and part 

 frame, and was built in 1754. It stands to-day just 

 as it was built, with the exception of a small addi- 

 tional building. The house is even older, is built of 

 stone, and is noted as being the birthplace of the de- 

 nomination known as the United Bretlirenin Christ— 

 the place where the first meeting to organize that 

 denomination was held. The buldings were remark- 

 able for size and convenience when built, and are still 

 in a state of excellent preservation .—A^ei« JEra. 



Entomological. 



To Destroy the Currant Slug. 



A number of remedies are lecommended for de- 

 stroying the currant slug, which of late years has 

 become a sore pest, defoliating the bushes and 

 causing the fruit to wither, or at least not to mature 

 fully. A certain remedy is said to be " green cedar 

 bushes, cut in small pieces and scattered under the 

 currant-bushes;" and, it is added, "there is some- 

 thing offensive about cedars to all bugs and worms, 

 and they do not approach it." This may be true! 

 But we have some positive means at hand to gainsay 

 it, and of course have no faith in it. We have had 

 so many "remedies" of this kind for vermin of every 

 description which have never proved their claims, 

 that we have become a little "jubis." We know 

 that the criptomeria and the arbor vitse are pre- 

 ferred by cei-tain insects to attach to them their pro- 

 pagating-houses, having with our own hands re- 

 moved at least fifty from a single small tree ; and 

 have frequently seen the same ne'sts on the American 

 cedar upon our own premises. 



The best remedji, in our judgment, for thi« slug 

 pest is the application of a solution of whale-oil 

 soap, (as we have often before suggested,) in the 

 proportion of one pound to five gallons of water, 

 sprinkled over the leaves fi-om a watering-pot with a 

 fine nose. It is certain death to all it touches. Car- 

 bolic soap will no doubt answer the same purpose, 

 so that the most convenient can be used. — Oerman- 

 town Telegraph. 



Cloverseed Fly. 



A Xeiv Insect PesC— At the annual meeting of the 

 New York State Agricultural Society, held at Albany 

 in January last, J. A. Lintner, of the State Museum 

 of Natural History, read a paper in which, among 

 other injurious insects recently observed, he gave an 

 account of the larva of an insect which had been dis- 

 covered two years ago in several localities in Eastern 

 and Northern New York, hidden within the seed- 

 pods of the red clover (Trifolium prateme,) and 

 destroying the seeds. The perfect insect had not yet 

 been seen, but the examination of the larva showed 

 it to belong to the Cecidcmyid^, and in all proba- 

 bility very nearly allied to the " Wheat Midge," 

 (Cecidomyia destructor.)* A description of the larva 

 was given under the name Cecidomyia trifolu,n. sp.— 

 American Naturalist for March, 1S79. 



Mr. Lintner says : " The range of this insect's dep- 

 redations, or the extent of its ravages, are as yet un- 

 known. In some localities in the western counties of 

 the State of New York clover wag so infested with it 

 that it was worthless for seed. It is believed that 

 not infrequent failures heretofore reported of the 

 cloverseed crop throughout the country, which has 

 been ascribed to imperfect fertilization of the blos- 

 soms and various causes, has been the result of the 

 secret operations of this little insect." 



A Premature Evolution. 

 To-day (Feb. 27) Mr. Geo. O. Hensel brought us a 

 fine specimen of Atticus (saynia) cecropia, the "great 

 appld moth," which evolved from its pupa sleep last 

 night some time, and the moth is still living, but 

 very probably will die before the advent of spring. 

 Of course, the evolution took place within doors, as 

 no insect would have vital energy enough to assume 

 the winged state as such a night as last night was 

 out in the open air, except, perhaps, some species of 

 the Perlid,« or "shad-flies." Nothing seems to 

 govern the insect world in their evolutions so much 

 as heat. It has been the habit of some to attribute 

 extraordinary instinctive powers to insects, and al- 

 though to a certain extent, and in certain directions, 

 they are extraordinarily enijowed, yet in their trans- 

 formations, and especially when they pass from the 

 pupa to the image state, they cannot tell whether the 

 vitalizing heat around them is natural or artificial, 

 or whether the season is winter or summer. Now 

 this in any other being would be regarded as an act 

 of indiscretion as well as indiscrimination. The in- 

 cubation of eggs in winter often occurs, but this is 

 not so remarkable as the evolution of a pupa, but it 

 is equally as detrimental to the futurity of the insect. 



Experiments with Moths. 



A correspondent of Nature describes some inter- 

 esting experiments upon moths to test their sense of 

 smell and hearing. Certain moths when captured 

 feign death. While they are thus motionless if a 

 sharp sound be made, such as is produced by strik- 

 ing a piece of glass, they will he suddenly roused 

 and will attempt to fly. On the other hand, a strong 

 solution of ammonia, uncorked close to moths, has 

 no effect in driving them away ; they do not seem to 

 smell it, and only move away from the fumes slowly 

 when oppressed by them. The result of the latter 

 experiment is contrary to the common opinion, which 

 has been that the smelling powers of moths were un- 

 usually strong, and that camphor was the best remedy 

 for them, on account of its strong odor. 



•Is not this an error? Cecidomyia deMructor is known in 

 Penuaylvaula as the Hessian Fly ; and the "Wlieat Midge," 

 or "Wheat Fly," as the Cecidomi/id tnticx. 



