﻿68 FIELD AND FOREST. 



"Watermelon Blight." — For a number of years an unknown in- 

 sect — probably an yEgerian — has been destructive to melon vines in the 

 vicinity of Augusta, Ga., to a greater or less extent every year, but the 

 present season their ravages have extended over every part of the 

 melon producing section contiguous to Augusta. Many hundred 

 acres are devoted to the culture of this fruit, and this year many fields 

 have been totally destroyed. 



According to Mr. A. H. M. Laws, who has observed their mode of 

 warfare, the insects attack the plant at various stages of its growth, 

 sometimes when young, and often when the fruit is nearly ripe. 

 Sometimes one of the branches alone is killed, but most frequently the 

 crown, from which the branches shoot, appears to be the point of at- 

 tack, and all die ; the long tap-root does not appear to be injured. 

 Four years ago the insect was only to be found in occasional hills, now 

 it spreads over every field. 



Hydrodictyon utriculatum, Roth. — Three years ago we discov- 

 ered this very interesting alga in large masses, in some pools near the 

 Baltimore and Potomac depot, now filled up. We have not succeed- 

 ed in finding it since, until a few days ago, (September 13th) strolling 

 along the river bank at the foot of Seventeenth street, it was seen in 

 the bottom of a stranded canal-boat. The old fronds are breaking up 

 and there is a good supply of young nets about an inch long. To 

 any of our microscopic readers we cannot recommend a more interest- 

 ing object than some of these placed in a large jar of fresh water, 

 when their growth and reproduction will offer entertainment for a 

 considerable time. — W. H. S. 



What was their Motive ? — A few weeks ago, in the country, 

 I was amused greatly at the proceedings a flock of young turkies in a 

 field. Two of the bipeds had evidently fallen out about the posses- 

 sion of some grasshopper, and were having a little war in Turkey all 

 to themselves ; after several minutes of manoeuvring, the smaller of 

 the two, doubtless feeling himself no match for his antagonist, beat a 

 retreat. The larger one followed, however, and after considerable 

 skirmishing, came up to his victim, and was proceeding to administer 

 a sound drubbing, when half a dozen of the flock simultaneously rushed 

 upon him, standing between the two till peace was again restored. 



