337 



with bedbugs ; leastwise the woman said they were such, as they looked and smelt 

 ' like them. But the mystery to me was, how on earth did they get there, a mile from 

 any house, and in the midst of a pond, always known to be full to the banks with 

 water. Perhaps they crossed in the winter on the ice. At all events, as the poet says, 

 "They got there all the same." [Dr. E. Sterling, Cleveland, Ohio, September 26, 

 1890. ' 



Reply. It is altogether probable that the bug which you found upon the reeds was 

 a different species although resembling the bedbug. * * * — [September 27, 1890.] 



The poisonous Spider of Australia. 



Mr. G. B. Federli, viticultural expert, writes: " I made inquiries about the bites of 

 the Lathrodectus, aud the following information will very likely be of some interest to 

 you. T. W. Taylor, a miner, residing at Wooragee, Beechworth, was bitten by the 

 Lathrodectus on the first joint of the first finger. Immediately afterward a darting, 

 painful sensation, followed by rapid swelling aud severe j^ain, were experienced. He 

 applied to a doctor, who amputated the first joint of the finger. The Italians, who 

 are working in the bush at Chiltera and elsewhere, I am told, in the case of bites of 

 the Lathrodectus or by the bull-ant, apply at once soft earth, with a preference for 

 black soil, if close at hand, and I am assured with successful results." 



Mr. C. McPherson, of Sbepparton, who was bitten by one of these spiders in the 

 foot, says: "At first it is just like the prick of a pin. Then for a time the pain in- 

 creases until it becomes unbearable and excruciating. The time I was bitten was 

 about 4 o'clock in the morning. The spider evidently fell from the ceiling. I was 

 bitten on the toe and suftered for about 4 or 5 hours. A chemist gave me a prescrip- 

 tion that stopped the pain. After the pain ceased perspiration broke out right up 

 the calf of the leg. 



"I kuow a man who was bitten in a closet and suftered for some weeks. He ran 

 about like a mad person. Mrs. Dennis, of Cosgrove, was bitten on the finger, and a 

 doctor scariried the joint. 



"The spiders take up their abode in deserted houses, sometimes in the walls or ceil- 

 ing of unoccupied houses. They frequent outhouses. 



" I have known some cases where symptoms of the pain have reoccurred at regular 

 seasons."— [C. O. Montrose, Sbepparton, Victoria, Australia. 



Notes from Mississippi. 



The Cabbage Pionea (Pionea rimosalis, G.). — This worm has been more numerous 

 than last season, and has been more destructive as a garden pest than any of the other 

 'worms named below. 



The Cabbage Plusia (Plusia ii-assicce, R.), — Quite abundant in every garden in this 

 locality, doing some injury. 



The Southern Cabbage Butterfly {Pieris protodice, B.). — Not as injurious as the 

 above-named worms. 



The Greasy Cut-Worm (larva of dgrotis ypsilon, R.) — More numerous tban last 

 season ; very destructive in all gardens during April and May to young cabbage and 

 tomato plants. 



The Tomato Worm {Spliinx quinquemaculata). — This worm has been quite numerous 

 and very damaging to tomato vines and its fruit. Captured one specimen well sup- 

 plied with little cocoons of Apanieles congregatus, like Fig. 73, page 105, Bulletin Ag- 

 ricultural Experiment Station of Nebraska, Volume III, Article No. 2. 



The Striped Cucumber-Beetle (Diahrotica vittata). — Very damaging to squash and 

 cucumber vines; also observed feeding upon bush beans. 



The Squash-Vine Borer (ilelittia ce1o,W.). — Very injurious to squash, cucumber, 

 and cashaw vines. 



The Melon Worm (Phakellura hyaliuatalis, L.). — Very destructive the past season, 

 eating cavities into melons, cucumbers, and cashaws; also devouring their foliage. 



