114 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARLO. 



There are in this volume niauy things which will attract the attention of entomolo- 

 gists. Indeed, it is so full and there are so many different subj ^cts treated of, that even 

 to give the titles would take more spice than is at my disposal The first thing which 

 will be noticed is the adoption of the generic name Portheiria Articles of particular 

 note deal with the studies made as to the methods of distribution of the Gyp3y moth and 

 the measures practised for the destruction of the insect in its different stages; spraying 

 apparatus, and particularly the care of spraying machinery ; methods of pruning, and 

 some charming observations upon insect-eating birds. 



The scientific work contained in Professor Fernald's report is of great value and con- 

 tains a record of most painstaking and pitient work. Probably 0113 of the most interest- 

 ing sections is that which deah with Natural Enemies, in which mo3t excellent work ha3 

 been done. Prof. Fernald has been aided in this work by efficient a-sistants, and the 

 whole information so gained has been pieced together by a master hand. 



With regard to spraying, some surprising results have been obtained. In the first 

 place the caterpillar of the Gypsy moth seems to be little affected by applications of 

 Paris green when applied of the strength ordinarily used for other mandibulate insects. 

 Mr. Forbuhh says : "It became evident before the end of the season of 1891 that spraying, 

 while reducing the numbers of the moth, could not be relied upon as a means of exter- 

 mination, for many caterpillars survived its effects." 



The following conclusion on page 139 will show entomologists that the matter of 

 controlling mandibulate insects, by means of active poisons, is still a fertile field for care- 

 ful work, in which useful and laurel-bearing results are still to be reaped : 



"Every effort was made during the spraying season to determine why the results 

 of spraying were not uniform and satisfactory. The feeding caterpillars were watched 

 day and night by many observers. The spraying was most carefully superintended and 

 the conclusion finally arrived at was that, under ordinary conditions, spraying with 

 Paris green for the Gypsy moth was ineffective and unsatisfactory." 



Paris green was on the whole the most fatal insecticide, and when used in the pro- 

 portion of one pound to 150 gals, of water did not burn foliage, but with larger proportions 

 did considerable harm. The injury developed so rapidly that within a short time the 

 leaves were all killed and the surviving larvse had to go elsewhere to feed. "Therefore, 

 a strong Paris green mixture had little better effect than a weak one. Lime was then 

 used with the Paris green with a view of neutralizing the burning, but considerable injury 

 to the foliage still continued." 



Probably one of the most remarkable facts discovered by the entomologists is related 

 by Professor Fernald on page 476, where he says : " One interesting result obtained from 

 the analysis of the different stages of the Gypsy moth, made in \1893 and 1894, is that 

 pupae and imagoes from caterpillars which have been reared on leaves sprayed with Paris 

 green or arsenate of lead, may contain arsenic in recognizable quantities. Several pupae 

 and a few female imagoes obtained under these conditions, when subjected to chemical 

 analysis gave ample evidence of the presence of arsenic in their bodies. This shows that 

 the presence of arsenic in the pupa may not materially interfere with the processes in- 

 volved in the development of the imago. Since, as has been repeatedly demonstrated, 

 moths reared from poisoned larva* are capable of reproduction, it is also evident that the 

 arsenic contained in their bodies does not injure the reproductive function." 



With reference to the amount of arsenic which could be consumed by some of these 

 caterpillars, and yet leave them " normally active and healthy," it was found that some of 

 them had in their bodies in proportion to their weight, an amount equivalent to 12^ times 

 the fatal dose for an adult human beirig, in proportion to the weight of the latter. 



lhe work of the Gypsy Moth Committee has been criticized, examined and studied by 

 practical men who were entomolgists and others who were not. As far as I can learn, the 

 general verdict is that excellent work, and, under the circumstances, remarkably so, has 

 been done. The insect is not exterminated, it is true ; but there seems every reason to 

 hope, judging from what has been done and the behaviour o! the speiies in other countries 



