1026 Scientific News, - [October, 
of the animal of the oyster by the star-fish; as the result of his 
own observations Dr. Rice was not able to decide as to the exact 
method or methods; he, however, inclines to the opinion that the 
star-fish works in more than one way, sometimes suffocating, 
sometimes poisoning and sometimes taking in the oyster bodily. 
Due credit is given to the labors of Dr. Brooks and Mr. Ryder. 
The report is illustrated by six plates, which add materially to our 
knowledge of the structure of the shell, the soft parts and the 
rate and mode of growth of the shell. 
— An apiculture station has recently been established at Au- 
rora, Ills., in connection with the Entomological division of the 
Department of Agriculture. Mr, Nelson W. McLain has been 
appointed to take charge of the station, and Professor Riley has 
‘instructed him to pay particular attention to the following sub- 
jects : 
ist. To secure the introduction and domestication of such 
races of bees as are reported to possess desirable traits and char- 
acteristics ; to test the claims of such races of bees as to excel- 
lence, and to prove by experiments their value to the apiculturists 
of the United States and their adaptation to our climate and 
eene AD flora. 
2d. make experiments in the crossing and mingling of 
races read introduced, and such as may hereafter be imported, 
and by proper application of the laws of breeding endeavor to 
secure the type or types best adapted by habit and on : 
to the uses of practical bee-keepers in the United Stat 
3d. To make experiments in the methods of artificial ‘fertiliza- 
tion, and if possible demonstrate the best process by which the 
same may be accomplishe 
4th. To test the various methods of preparing bees for winter 
—such as stimulating late breeding, removing the pollen from 
the hive in winter, feeding on sugar syrup, watering during long 
confinement, the stimulating of early breeding in spring, the con- 
trol of the swarming impulse and the prevention of swarming. 
5th. To gather statistics concerning the bee-keeping industry 
in the United States, and obtain an approximate estimate of the 
number of colonies of bees kept, the number of pounds of honey 
and wax produced in the several States and in the United States, 
and the value of the same. 
6th. To make experiments with and “gy aig concerning 
_ varieties of honey-producing plants for bee-fo 
=~ 7th. To study the true cause or causes of a yet imper- 
ated understood, and the best methods of preventing or curing 
| wA To obtain incontestible results by intelligent experiments, 
upon scientific methods, as to the capacity of bees, under excep- 
tional « ne eR to injure fruit, 2. e., to set at rest the ever- 
of bees vs. fi ruit. 
SS ei ieee 
