90 



being here made, led to a spirited discussion between Messrs, 

 G. J). Phippen, C. M. Tracy, T. Ropes, P. W. Putnam, and 

 A. W. Dodge, in which many interesting observation^ were 

 given as to the points in question. Mr. Putnam explained 

 somewhat, the peculiar propagation of the aphis, showing 

 that while several generations appeared in a single summer, 

 only the last consisted of both sexes, and only these females 

 laid eggs, the other generations being entirely viviparous. 

 The classification of these insects, he said, was very tedious, 

 almost every plant having its own peculiar sort. Mr. Phip- 

 pen had watched the red Aphis of the Asters and Golden 

 Rods, had noticed the production of living young and their 

 distribution along the twig by this means ; also the singular 

 movements which now and then pervade a whole community, 

 every individual jerking at the same instant and then re- 

 maining still. Mr. Tracy had noticed the curious fact, that 

 in these gatherings of aphides, the head of the insect is in- 

 variably turned fro?n the growing point of the twig, placing 

 them as it were, head downward. If we can find no other 

 cause for this, it may be that, as the insect seldom leaves its 

 place, and multiplies backwardly, this position is chosen to 

 bring the young upon the softer and tenderer parts of the 

 bark, where, being weaker, they can feed more easily. 



John M. Ives, of Salem, continued these observations by- 

 speaking of the Currant Aphis. Its ravages might, he 

 thought, be abridged by strewing air slacked lime among 

 the currant bushes. He further alluded to the condition of 

 the fruit trees this year, concluding that the injury was due 

 to the remarkable alternations of heat and cold which we 

 have had, more than to any direct agency of frost upoii 

 the buds. 



In February the frost was so far gone that strawberry beds 

 were dug over, and in March the mercury on the 3d stood. 



