_———= SCL 
of the S. R Smith Infirmary it persists in 
spite of the mowing machine. It is also to 
be found on Todt Hill, and in a field near 
Egbertville it grows in great abundance, 
An interesting habit of the plant is the 
closing of its flowers early in the afternoon, 
even if the sun is shining. [am indebted to 
Dr. N L Britton for verifying my identific- 
ation of the specimens. 
Taraxacum erythrospermum Andrz (Red- 
seeded Dandelion), The specimens of this 
plant exhibited were collected on the side of 
the Egbertville road near Egbertville. It has 
however been found growing in some abun. 
dance in the trap-rock quarry at Graniteville 
In the first locality it grows in the deep 
shade, but in the quarry it is associated with 
the Knawel and occupies, as that plant gen- 
erally does, a dry exposed situation, 
THE &AG OR BASKET WORM, 
Mr. Fred F. Hunt referred to the injury 
to shade trees wrought in recent years by the 
“bag” or “basket worm” (7yridopteryx eph- 
emereformis Waworth) and exhibted speci- 
mens of the species in all stages of growth, 
together with its cocoons These latter 
may be seen in great adundance this winter, 
suspended from the branches of many trees 
in the vicinity. Mr. Hunt suggested that 
some action might be taken by the Associa- 
tion to assist in abating or mitigating the 
nuisance by urging property owners to re- 
move and destroy the cocoons now, while 
they may be readily seen, and thus prevent 
the eggs from hatching next Spring. 
The following letter from Mr. Walter C. 
Kerr, relating to the matter was read ; 
New York Feb, 7, 1902 
fred F. Hunt, Esq., New Brighton, Staten 
Isiand, N. Y. 
Dear Mr. Hunt :;—Refering to our conver- 
sation this morning about the bag worm 
coccon which so abundantly infests the trees 
on Staten Island this winter I would say that 
I most heartily approve of your suggestion 
that the Natural Science Association take 
gl 
some move towards their destruction before 
Spring providing a practical method can be 
planned for effecting this. 
1 am quite sure that such moves are only 
worth making when they are efficient and 
reasonably complete. In this case complete- 
ness could not extend to the forests of the 
Island but there seems no good reason why 
it should not extend to all of the shade trees 
and other valuable trees well within the set- 
led portions especia!ly the trees which extend 
along the streets and lawns. 
Doubtless personal effort is most effective, 
but I believe it to be too limited In making 
such a move againstthe threatened plague 
of the coming season the following occurs to 
me: 
1, Strong words of warning, put in lang- 
uage that will be understood and which will 
plainly state that these trees are threatened 
with destruction if this remarkable crop of 
cocoons is not handled now, should be put in 
the papers, not only once but repeated again 
and again, to keep it before the public and 
the papers should be requested to draw edi- 
torial attention to the articles. 
2. Avery simple cheap circular might be 
printed and by a special permit of the Post 
Office Depart ment be placed in every mail 
box on the Island without addressing. This 
I think the Department woud permit, 
although contrary to custom, because of its 
being for the public good, 
be sent to each of the postmasters in pack-~ 
These circulars to 
ages with instructions how to deliver them. 
On these circulars might be printed a small 
half tone cut showing just what the cocoon is, 
so that comparatively ignorant people will 
understaand 
3. Some practical means should be sug- 
gested forremoving'the cocoons, for obviously 
their removal must be accomplished by some 
means commensurate with their number and 
distance from the ground, Possibly by a 
sharp hooked knife attached to the end ofa 
long stick which would reach most of the low 
trees to which these cocoons are chiefly 
