﻿1 84 FIELD AND I OREST. 



worms could no longer exist below the surface and crawled out in 

 immense numbers. Reaching the surface they travelled about in all 

 directions, perhaps in search of drier places than were afforded by the 

 sod and grass of public parks and open ground. They thus found 

 themselves on the pavements when the change came and succumbed 

 to the increase ! cold and sharp drying wind. 



Singularly enough none were to be found on the asphalt pavements 

 of the streets or even on the walks of that material passing through 

 certain parks. May it not be that their senses warned them ot the 

 presence of this bituminous substance, which, proving disagreeable to 

 them, instructively turned them away from it as soon as reached in 

 their wanderings ? — Lester F. Ward. 



Hungry Anthreni, — We recently unearthed an old case of but- 

 terflies — or at least the remains of one — that had been hidden away 

 for a year or so, and undisturbed, finding little else but empty pins, 

 labels, shed Anthrenus skins and dust, but the thing that struck us 

 most strangely was that nearly all the labels had been deeply notched 

 and eaten on all sides. We know these destructive pests are not very 

 particular about their diet, but a diet of paper was something new. 

 Was the paper eaten from choice, or because the insects were driven 

 to it, as as there was nothing else to eat? — C. R. D. 



The Davenport Academy of Science has been presented with a fine 

 building site, worth $4,500 or $5,000, by Mrs. P. V. Newcomb. The 

 lot has a frontage of 45 feel with a depth of 150 feet. Prof. Parvin of 

 Iowa City has also presented to the Academy his fine geological col- 

 lection, cases and all complete. 



Analysis of Grape Roots. — M. Boutin, according to the Bul- 

 letin of the Botanical Society of France, having analysed the roots of 

 American vines, (Vitis estivalis, cordifolia and labruscd) finds they 

 contain five per cent, of malic acid, which is not found in the roots of 

 the V. vinifera, or European vine. The roots of the American vines 

 also contain eight per cent, of a resinous principle, and their bark fif- 

 teen per cent. M. Fabre thinks they are enabled to resist the Phyl- 

 loxera by the resin they contain, which flows over the wound made 

 by the insect, and thereby hinders the escape of sap. 



