970 The Asnerican Ntauralist. [October, 
ENTOMOLOGY.! 
Entomology at Indianapolis.—The attendance of entomolo- 
gists at the recent meeting of the A. A. A. S., while not as large as could 
be wished, was fully up to the average. We give below abstracts of a 
number of the papers read, while several others are reserved for future 
discussion. ‘The first three following were presented before the Society 
for the Promotion of Agricultural Science, while the remainder were 
read before the Entomological Club of the A. = 
Insects PRODUCING SILVER-ToP IN TEEN Herbert 
Osborn, in an excellent paper, said the ‘‘silver-top’’ in grass is a 
whitening of the upper portion of the stalk, especially the head, 
which withers without maturing seed. Meromyza, Chlorops, and 
Thrips have been credited with being the cause of the mischief. 
Professor Comstock has shown that Limothrips poaphagus is often 
the cause. The injury may result from any attack upon the juicy 
base of the terminal node that cuts off the flow of sap to the head. 
Fully go per cent. of alarge number of grass-stems examined contained 
no insects within the sheath. Many of them did show the punctures of 
Homoptera, especially Jassidæ, about the upper node, and it is prob- 
e that these leaf-hoppers are responsible for much of the “ silver- 
top." These insects are open to general attack, and the injury 
should be prevented by their destruction. 
ARTIFICIAL PASTURAGE FOR BEES.—In a paper on this subject, 
Professor A. J. Cook reported experiments in planting Rocky Moun- 
tain Bee Plant (Come integrifolia), Chapman Honey Plant (JcAz- 
nops spherocephalus), and a foreign mint (Melissa sp.). None of the 
experiments were successful, and the conclusion is reached that it is 
doubtful policy to sow any plant for its nectar alone. The best results 
will probably come in combining nectar secretion with some other 
useful quality. 
FERTILIZERS AS INsECTICIDES.—In a paper entitled Fertilizers as 
Insecticides and Insecticides as Fertilizers, Prof. J. B. Smith reported 
the results of some interesting experiments. The author has lost all 
faith in “ repellents.” No matter how bad a smell may be created, if 
it does not act destructively as well, it is useless, All sorts of decay- 
ing or decomposing matter is attractive rather than offensive to insects. 
Barn ure has no repellent or insecticidal value. Phosphates 
! Edited by Dr. C. M. Weed, Experiment Station, Columbus, O, 
