108 
a stock of over 3,000 cords of bark, purchased in Nova Scotia in 1897. 
On May 27 of the present year our advice was requested in regard to 
an unusual insect injury to the bark which was being used at that time. 
The clouds of dust that arose whenever the bark was disturbed 
showed that the work of the insects had been pretty thoroughly accom- 
plished. A casual examination revealed thousands of small black 
beetles swarming over the piles, while many times their number, 
together with occasional larvee, were feeding upon the inner layers of 
the bark. The feeding of the insect had been practically confined to 
the inner bark, although many burrows extended through the corky 
outer i This, of course, made the injury far more serious, for 
nearly a ali the tannin is located in the inner bark. Mr. F. J. Smith, 
chemist = the gipsy-moth committee, informs me that the outer Pane 
contains practically no tannin, while the inner bark averages from 8 to 
13 per cent of tannin. 
The cost of the bark delivered at the tannery was $8.50 per cord, or, 
in round figures, $25,000 for the entire stock. The yard employees esti- 
mated that at least one-fourth of the value of the bark had been 
destroyed, a figure that seemed quite conservative. If this estimate 
was correct, over $6,000 loss could be attributed to this little insect. 
Fumigation was suggested as a means of destroying the insects, but 
it was not attempted by the firm on account of the expense which 
would be incurred for canvas and labor. The superintendent, however, 
commenced grinding the worst infested bark as rapidly as possible, so 
that on visiting the grounds July 31 it was found that all the infested 
piles had been utilized. In the débris remaining few living beetles 
were present and none were observed on examining some piles of bark 
that had recently come from Maine. 
In connection with the habit of this beetle of feeding on tan bark, 
Prof. A. D. Hopkins, who kindly determined the species, remarks that 
‘it will probably be found that this species, like a Cerambycid larva 
here in West Virginia, attacks the tan bark only after it is two or three 
years old, so that the remedy, or rather preventive, will be to avoid the 
accumulation of old tan bark.” 
Mr. Hopkins stated that this was an absolutely new record of dam 
age by this insect to tan bark. In West Virginia similar injury to 
white oak had been caused by the larva of a Cerambycid. It would be 
of interest to analyze the dust left by these insects. Jf the tannin 
has been destroyed then they are highly injurious, but if the tannin is 
still present in normal amount in the dust then they might be helpful 
in comminuting the bark. 
The paper read by Mr. Osborn, entitled “Insects of Sandusky,” has 
been withdrawn for publication elsewhere. 
Bee le as er el Me ee oe fgger 
a o> ‘- - * ‘e ska aeapnge gy me vs 
