92 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 



not become established, but at present we must consider the etitire southern half of the 

 Lower Peninsula as in danger of serious infestation, together with a strip of uncertain 

 width bordering Lake Michigan at least as far north as Grand Traverse Bay. 



It is too early yet to make any predictions as to the ultimate success or failure of 

 attempts to limit by legislation the spread of the scale in Michgan. The last legislature 

 passed a bill which takes effect late in the present month (August) requiring the inspec- 

 tion of all nursery stock offered for sale in the State, whether home grown or from out- 

 side, and compelling inspection and treatment of all suspected orchards or fruit trees 

 wherever found. The bill as originally drawn was not, of course, altogether satisfactory, 

 either to the nurserymen or the fruit growers, and during its passage through the legisla- 

 ture its strength was still further impaired by sundry concessions which seemed to be 

 necessary in order to secure its adoption. It is hoped, however, that its provisions may 

 toe thoroughly enforced and its efficacy tested during the coming year, to that, if neces- 

 sary, better measures may be provided by our next legislature. 



In the discussion wbi/?h followed these two papers, Mr. Craig stated that the con- 

 dition in Canada relative to the San Jose" scale was quite similar to that of Michigan. 

 This insect had been found in British Columbia and in Ontario. In the latter Province 

 there were seven well authenticated occurrences, these being protably in the ujper austral 

 region. Mr. Craig's investigations showed that the San Jote" scale had been present in 

 Canada for at least four years and came originally from two New Jersey rurseries, whose 

 proprietors had kindly enabled him to trace the shipments of infested stock. Mr. Craig 

 was of the opinion that the scale would do the greatest damage in the peach-growing 

 region where, as early as July 1, 1897, he had found the joung scales securely fixed on 

 young, growing wcod. Fungus culture?, received from Professor Rolfs, had been used in 

 inoculation tests in the laboratory, but with no practical results as jet. It seemed pro- 

 bable that an endeavor would be made to obtain legislation with a view to preventing the 

 shipment of infested nursery stock to Canada. 



Mr. Howard inquired as to the known geographical distribution of the fungus dis- 

 ease. Mr. Rolfs said that, to the best of his knowhdge, this disease was chi fly confined 

 to the southern part of the United States. It had been found in Alabama, Georgia, South 

 Carolina, and in one instance in Pennsylvania. It was most abundant at Auburr, Ala. 



A paper from Prof. 0. P. Gillette on " Insects taken at Light and Sugar," evoked 

 considerable discussion, and was followed by "A Study of the Possible Origin and Distri- 

 bution of the Chinch Bug," by Prof. F M. Webster. The author advanced the idea that 

 this insect had originated in the southern part of the United States and spread by two 

 diverging streams up the Mississippi valley and along the eastern Atlantic eoast. In the 

 former region the long winged form predominated, while the coast form was short winged. 

 In the discussion following this paper the general opinion seemed to be that the length of 

 the wings depended upon environment rather than heredity. Mr. C. W. Mally recorded 

 the capture at Ohio of a specimen having one long and one short wing, thus throwing 

 additional light upon the relationship between the two forms. 



" Notes on the Common House Fly," by Mr. Howard, gave the negative results of a 

 series of experiments with lime, land plaster, etc., used to destroy the larva? of the house 

 fly. He emphasized the necessity of greater cleanliness in the management of horse 

 stables 



A paper from Mr. Gillette on " Vernacular Names of Insects," was read and refened 

 to a committee consisting of Messis. Howard, Fernald and Lintner. A communication 

 from 0. P. Lounsbury, giving very interesting notes on " Cape of Good Hope Insects," 

 particularly the locusts of that region, was then read. 



Mr. H. G. Hubbard presented an account of the " Insect Fauna of the Giant Cactus,' 

 recording the capture of a large number of insects on this plant and giving notes on their 

 habits. 



Mr. Howard described "A Valuable Coccid," lately discovered in Arizona and New 

 Mexico, frcm which, by suitable treatment, a good grade of white wax could be obtained. 



