346 z 
of these insects. It is advisable at the same time, for greater thor- _ 
oughness, to fill the floor cracks with plaster paris in fluid form. After 
this has “set” it will greatly reduce the number of possible lurking 
places. The free use of benzine has accomplished immunity from the 
pest in cases fully as bad as those recounted. 
QUASSIA VS. PETROLEUM FOR THE HOP LOUSE. 
We have received information of late from several correspondents in 
Oregon and Washington State to the effect that the quassia wash, used 
by English hop-growers, has proved more effective than kerosene emul- 
sion against the Hop Louse. A company has recently issued a circular 
extolling the excellence of quassia as a specific against the Hop Louse, 
and its superiority over the kerosene emulsion. 
We must again reiterate the statement made on page 84 of the cur- 
rent volume that quassia was carefully tried in our experiments made 
in 1887 against the Hop Louse, and the result recorded in our Annual 
Report for 1888. When applied pure it kills the lice with which it is 
brought into direct contact, but owing to the fact that it will not 
spread, like the kerosene emulsion, it can not be considered as efficient 
if used alone. , 
The reported dissatisfaction with the kerosene treatment is undoubt- 
edly due to failure to produce a proper emulsion, according to formule 
and directions given in Circulars Nos. 1 and 2 of this Division, and 
moreover, to the fact, probably, that the application was made too late 
to be of service. 
A WESTERN ENEMY OF THE WHITE-MARKED TUSSOCK MOTH. 
Through the help of Mr. C. W. Woodworth, of the University of Cali- 
fornia, we hope to make some attempt to bring Perimegatoma variega- 
tum to the east this season. This Dermestid beetle is a very effective 
destroyer of the eggs of the White-marked Tussock moth, and if it can 
be successfully acclimatized will prove a very valuable insect in many 
of our Eastern States. 
A NEW COTTON-STAINER IN JAMAICA. 
We have received from Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell specimens of Dysder- 
cus andrece, with the information that it attacks the bolls of cotton and 
in the same manner as does D. suturellus in this country, Cuba, and 
the Bahamas. It is curious that D. andrew should replace D. suturellus 
in Jamaica. According to Mr. Cockerell,it is very abundant and prob- 
ably occurs throughout the island. Remarks were made upon the 
damage done by this species to the cotton crop by Dr. Phillipo, at the 
meeting of the Institute of Jamaica, held December 14, 1891. 
ADDITIONS TO THE INSECT COLLECTION OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM. 
We learn from receat New York papers that the American Museum 
of Natural History, Central Park, New York, has recently been 
