ECONOMIC [MPOBTANCE OF BOWBUG8. 19 



ground under the honeysuckle. On July 3, at 7.30 p. m., the sowbugs 

 were just commencing to climb the various plant-, and uone were 

 feeding as yet. On the honeysuckle 19 were -ecu at various heights 

 n}) to 3 feet, and all but two on the stems and moving upward. 



The following definite proofs of the scavenger habits of this sow- 

 buff were obtained: May 17 a dead rat near the house was found 

 covered with a great number of sowbugs and almost entirely eaten. 

 even the skin being eaten in place-. At another time several sowbugs 

 were discovered diligently cleaning a peach pit. 



Concerning the haunt- of these animal- the following observations 

 were made: In April and May there was considerable moisture, and 

 under every shaded, moist board, cinder, and clod, and under straw, 

 refuse, garbage, and carrion, one could easily find many adult sow- 

 bugs and multitudes of young. In the cotton patch, at the base of 

 each plant, the ground became cracked, and here sheltered great num- 

 ber- of sowbugs, which very likely did injury to the roots. May 17. 

 under the tree- and in shady place-, the sowbugs were so plentiful 

 that at every step number- were crushed. July 3, at 8 p. m.. sowbugs 

 to the number of 14 were found on an oak tree, the highest being 5 <>r 

 feet above the ground. July 26, in the late afternoon and early even- 

 ing, some five dozen sowbugs were found in crack- and holes on three 

 tree-, many of them as high as could be seen. 



Regarding the effect of natural and field condition- upon these 

 crustaceans certain notes were made. Susceptibility to varying 

 weather conditions was very noticeable. May 25, at 7.30 a. m.. 

 a large number of sowbugs had gathered at baits. At s o'clock a 

 sudden storm commenced to rise. The sowbugs seemed immediately 

 conscious of danger and hastened in all direction- for the highest 

 shelter possible, gaining protection on the fence and beneath the 

 clapboards of the house. All were out of sight when the first drops 

 of water fell. In April and May there was considerable rain, ami 

 during the periods of sunshine, at whatever time of day. the sow- 

 bugs were to be seen everywhere, crawling over the sidewalks and 

 pavements. April 23 and 24 the ground was drenched with water, 

 and on the 25th dead sowbugs were to be found everywhere on the 

 ground and on the sidewalks. On June 3 a similar observation was 

 made in a spot where the water had stood Un- several day-. By 

 June 17) the intense heat had driven the sowbugs from the open so 

 that few could be found in unprotected place-. 



The writer's note- upon the biology of the Lsopods are based on 

 observations of about a thousand individuals in the large -eric- of 

 experiments that has been already referred to. 



Copulation was frequently noted out of doors during April and 

 May. The males may be distinguished from tin 1 females by their 

 colors as well as by the specific sexual character-. They are a 



