Proceedings of Scientific Socteties. 93 
cola longinqua, Gould, Anodonta Californiensis, Lea, and a 
species of Physa and Planorbis were also abundant. 
At Salton, 250 feet below sea level, we were greatly surprised 
to find numerous valves of Solecurtus Californianus, Conr,, along 
with the fresh water shelis. It is a difficult problem to solve how 
boti marine and fresh: water shells, apparently of the same age 
should be found together at this place. A few miles away a sin- 
gle valve of an indeterminable marine shell was also found, and 
Dr. R. E. C. Stearns reports finding not only Solecurtus, but 
also a single specimen of Ocinebra Poulsoni at Indio, a station 
on the Southern Pacific Railway, a few miles west of Salton. It 
will be necessary to study the topography ot the whole region 
very carefully before it will be safe to form theories based on 
these facts. : 
In a spring at Dos Palmas the Physa and Amnicola protea, 
Gould, were both found living in water at about eighty degrees 
of temperature. Anodonta Californiensis, Lea, has been found 
living in Arizona, and is reported also from the Mohave River in 
the Mohave Desert. We may expect to find it therefore in some 
portion of the Colorado Desert when that region is more fully 
explored. 
The miocene beds along Carisso Creek furnish marine forms in 
great abundance, but are of a different age and formation from 
the fossils obtained at the above locality. C. R. Orcutt. 
ANTS IN GARDENS.—Regarding the damage done by ants in 
gardens and seed beds, the remedy depends to some extent upon 
the species of ant and its method of work and manner of living. 
If it is a species which nests in the ground, it can best be attacked 
with bisulphide of carbon. Pour a table-spoonful mto each of 
several of the orifices, covering the nests with a wet blanket, and 
after ten or fifteen minutes exploding the vapor at the mouths of 
the holes by means of a long handled torch. 
L. O. Howard, Acting Entomologist. 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. : 
Division of Entomology, 
WASHINGTON, D. C. JUNE 28, 1889. 
EROCHE DINGS. OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 
San Fraicisco Microscopical Society, June 26, 1889. 
President Payzant occupied the chair. Frank E. James, M. D. 
and Professor H. M. Whelpley of St. Louis were present as visi- 
tors; also, M. R. Roberts of San Francisco and L. M. King of 
Santa Rosa, 
The President announced, with regret, the death of F. L. 
‘Howard, for many years a member of the society. 
