19 



to the right-about at Bidgeway, because Canada was not the "clover patch" they were 

 looking for. 



As the larva? will be found most numerous in the latter part of May or early in 

 June, it is recommended that the clover should be heavily rolled at that time, for the 

 purpose of destroying them. If badly infested fields were ploughed about this period the 

 destruction of the insects would be still more certain. 



Early in the summer alarming accounts were received of another insect injuring the 

 maple trees, especially the shade trees on streets and avenues. This was a species of 

 coccus or bark-louse, Pulvinaria innumerabiUs which forms brown scales on the branches, 

 from under one end of which there protrudes a cotton-like substance forming a tuft about 

 four times as large as the scale in which the eggs of the insect are lodged. In a short 

 time there issue from this egg-nest a multitude of minute yellowish white lice, which dis- 

 tribute themselves over the branches, and, locating on the succulent portions, pierce the 

 tender bark with their sharp beaks and subsist upon the sap. These young lice soon 

 become stationary, gradually increase in size, and reach maturity towards the end of the 

 season. They chiefly affect the underside of the limbs and branches. 



Remedies. — The branches may be rubbed with a stiff brush or broom which will dis- 

 lodge many of the insects, and then washed with a liquid made of soap diluted with lye, 

 or solution of washing soda ; or with an emulsion of coal oil made as follows : take one 

 pint of coal oil and agitate vigorously with an equal quantity of milk until the compound 

 assumes* a creamy appearance, when it should be diluted with about ten times its bulk of 

 water and applied with a brush or syringe. 



This pest has occurred in many localities in Western Ontario, also in Michigan, New 

 York and Pennsylvania. 



That cosmopolitan butterfly known as the painted lady, Pyrameis cardui, has been 

 very abundant the past summer, not only in Canada but also in most of the northern 

 United States. From Mr. Burrows I learn that in Manitoba the larvee appeared in such 

 •countless hosts as to cause much alarm, and reports were current of their having injured 

 some of the growing crops. This, however, is improbable, as it devotes its attention mainly 

 to devouring thistles, occasionally specimens have been found feeding on mallow, holly- 

 hock, wild sunflower, burdock and several other plants, none of which however are of any 

 •economic value. 



A lively interest is being awakened in reference to the insects inhabiting our north- 

 west Territories and British Columbia, of which we as yet know comparatively little. 

 Captain Gamble Geddes, of Toronto, has made excursions to several of these distant 

 points, and brought home many rarities. From the Moose Mountain district, in the 

 Province of Assinaboia, a number of interesting specimens have been received, collected 

 by Miss F. M. Pierce. Prof. Panton, of Winnipeg, has been collecting in that neighbour- 

 hood, and in British Columbia we have a most efficient helper in the person of Rev. G. W. 

 Taylor, who has recently published in the Canadian Entomologist lists of some of his 

 captures in the neighbourhood of Victoria. It is sincerely hoped that other observers 

 will be induced to labour in these most interesting and promising fields. 



On the 30 th of January last the House of Commons at Ottawa resolved to appoint a 

 select committee to enquire into the best means of encouraging and developing the agri- 

 cultural industries of Canada. Circulars were prepared by the committee, embracing a 

 series of questions, which were sent to most of the prominent agriculturists and scientific 

 men in the Dominion, to which several hundred replies were received. The practical 

 bearing of entomology on agriculture was fully recognised by the committee, and the 

 questions so framed, that a very large amount of information on this subject was 

 gathered. Our Vice-President, Mr. James Fletcher, was summoned to give evidence in 

 reference to injurious and friendly insects, so also was Mr. W. H. Harrington. A report 

 has been issued covering 218 pages containing the evidence, and a summary of the replies 

 to the questions. It is gratifying to find that the close relationship between entomology 

 and successful agi'iculture is beginning to be more fully realized, and that the work of 

 <mr Society and the efforts of entomologists generally are so well spoken of as they are in 

 this document. 



Continued efforts are being made by our Society to obtain and disseminate correct 



