152 [Assembly, 



A New and Destructive Borer to be Conquered. (The New 

 England Homestead for September 25, 1886, xx, p. 341, c. 4 — 

 16 cm.) (Copied in the Country Gentleman for November 11, 

 1886, li, p. 853.) 



A borer stated to have killed cherry, peach, and plum trees, at 

 Philadelphia, Pa., of which the appearance and habits are 

 given, is probably (no examples are sent) Scolytus rugulosus 

 (Ratz.). Its history in this country is detailed. Trees attacked 

 in force by it cannot be saved. They should be cut down and 

 burned. A soap and carbolic acid wash would act as a prevent- 

 ive of attack. Phloeotrihus liminaris (Harr.) may also concur 

 in the above attack. 



Honey -Dew on Maple Leaves. (The New England Homestead 

 for September 25, 1886, xx, p. 344, c. 2 — 18 cm.) 



Maple leaves are sent covered with honey-dew, which bees 

 were collecting. Its value to bees is asked. The leaves show 

 no indication of plant-lice. They are not always present. The 

 honey-dew may be conveyed a short distance by wind and 

 deposited on nninfested leaves, as in an instance related. It is 

 not usually desirable for honey purposes, but this on the maple is 

 doubtless wholesome. Bees are known to collect from Pem- 

 phigus imhricator (Fitch), on beech, and Lachnus dentatus 

 (Le Baron), on willow. An occurrence of abundant honey-dew, 

 on willows in California, is quoted. 



The Gapes in Fowls. (The Country Gentleman for September 

 30, 1886, li, p. 731, c. 4— 31 cm.) 



In comments upon a letter from Dr. Walker, the author of a 

 paper under the above title, it is shown by quotations from 

 the paper that the parasites found in the earth-worm have not 

 been shown to be syngami. The paper does not invalidate the 

 studies and published observations of Dr. Megnin, as it is 

 claimed by its author to do, and attempted to be shown through 

 imperfect quotations. Dr. Walker's investigations of the gapes, 

 have resulted in little of scientific value, and some of the 

 conclusions drawn therefrom are clearly erroneous. 



The Muskmelon Worm. (The Country Gentleman for September 

 30, 1886, li, p. 733, c. 3-4 — 50 cm.) 



Larvae received, with good descriptions and habits, from 

 Albemarle county, Ya., are identified as Phakellura nitidalis 

 (Cramer), with reference to C/G. of July 23, 1885, for descrip- 

 tion of the young caterpillar, the moth, and for the best remedies. 

 It is becoming a great pest of muskmelons and extending its 

 ravages. It is not known in New York. Its transformations 



