Entomology. 753 
Report or THE U. S. Enromotocist.—The annual report of 
the U. S. Agricultural Department has just come to hand. The 
report of the Entomologist, although containing less original material 
than some of the preceding ones, is a valuable one to agriculturists. 
The principal articles are one upon the Chinch-bug and one upon 
the Codlin-moth. These were prepared by Mr. Howard, and con- 
sist in each case of a résumé of the natural history of the insect 
and of the more important remedial measures. Although these 
articles contain little that is new, they will be very useful to agri- 
culturists, as they render accessible information not easily obtained 
outside of an entomological library. In addition to these two 
articles the report consists of reports of special agents. The most 
striking of these is the one by Mr. D. W. Coquillett on The Gas 
Treatment for Scale Insects. One of the principal discoveries made 
by Mr. Coquillett is that hydrocyanie acid gas when passed through 
sulphuric acid is rendered harmless to the foliage of trees confined 
in it. This will greatly lessen the cost and labor of treating trees 
with this gas. The report is illustrated with figures of portable 
tents pair are used for enclosing the trees while they are being 
treated. 
us flabius, 
Formica, schonfussii, F. fusca, are not in the least responsible for 
their distribution over the fields. Although the protection which 
they offer them greatly increases their number and the amount of 
mjury done in the corn-fields.” 
e do not think that the conclusions of Professor Forbes? can 
be set aside in this way. We can think of no more interesting 
subject for study than the working out of the relations which exist 
tween these two kind of insects. Certainly aphids must receive 
nore Important results from the development of the highly special- 
Wed nectar-secreting apparatus than has been dreamed of till 
recently. 
; Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture, 1887, p. 149. 
American Naturalist, Vol. xxi., pp. 382-579. 
