OBSERVATIONS IN 1895-6. 365 



beetle (Crypturgus pusillus] was also common. Since no 

 other trees were dying here at the time, and none have died 

 since, the trees had evidently been affected by some primary 

 cause other than the attack of bark beetles. 



On Dec. 15th 1 found several pitch pine trees dying in the 

 midst of a large grove of trees that died in 1892 from the attack 

 of the destructive pine bark beetle. Upon examination these 

 trees were found to be infested with Tomicus calligraphus and 

 the same species of small bark beetle found in the dying trees 

 at Tibb's run. namely PityopJithorus confinis. 'lomicus calli- 

 c/raphus had entered the living bark and apparently the second 

 brood had developed in the tree; the first in the bark on the 

 upper portion of the trunk, and the other in the bark lower 

 down. It was evident, however, that this and the other trees 

 had been previously injured and had gradually succumbed to 

 successive attacks of bark beetles. 



In January, 1896, a piece of wood and bark was received 

 from Mr. Taylor E. Hiett, which had been cut from a dying 

 tree in a section where it had been reported that the timber was 

 dying as it did in 1892. An example of Tomicus calligraphus 

 was found in the bark which it had entered while the bark was 

 living. I was informed by Mr. Hiett, however, that but few 

 trees had died and they were near the groups of trees that were 

 killed during the epidemic of 1892. 



No further observations having a bearing upon the subject 

 under consideration were made during 1895-6, and it is evident 

 that no timber of any consequence has been dying in any of 

 the principal pine and spruce regions, or I would have been in- 

 formed of it. It is therefore evident from recent observations, 

 and the absence of complaint, that at present the conditions in 

 the pine and spruce forests, so far as injury by insects is con- 

 cerned, is normal. 



SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS. 1893-6. 



In a review of the observations from 1893 to 1896, noted in 

 the preceding pages, the following summary of the facts and 

 conclusions is made: 



