sO pose 
A SCALE-EATING MOUSE. 
The following is taken from a recent exchange. The scale-insect 
mentioned is probably Lecanium persicw, and we see no reason to doubt 
the statements made: : 
The mouse has never been regarded with an eye of favor by the gardener, and cer- | 
tainly the mischief which it does is more apparent than any benefit it confers as a 
general rule. But it would seem that the mouse is distinctly useful on oceasion, as 
the following, addressed to an English contemporary, clearly proves: ‘‘I was much 
surprised to see a mouse yesterday clearing the scale from a peach-tree trained 
against a wall under glass. It was very active, and during the ten minutes I 
watched it must have eaten 200 of these pests. It was too busy to notice me, though 
I stood opposite it and within a few feet. It would run over and under the smallest 
twigs, and fixing its hind feet for support would run its nose along the midrib of the 
underside of every leaf, and race up and down the stem searching for and devouring 
its prey without a second’s pause. I left it as busy as I found it. 
SPIDERS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 
Dr. George Marx has just issued author’s extras of his presidential 
address. read before the Entomological Society of Washington, Jan- 
uary, 1891, covering pages 148-161 of volume 11 of the Proceedings of 
that Society. His address is prefaced with a plea for the publication 
of local fauna lists on account of their great value in the study of the 
important subject of geograpnical distribution, and concludes with a 
careful seasonal and locality list of the spider fauna of the District of 
Columbia, tabling 160 genera, represented by 306 species. 
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OF THE AMERICAN 
ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE FOR 1892. 
WASHINGTON, D. C., June 15, 1892. 
The Annual Meeting of the Entomological Club of the American Association for 
the Advancement of Science will be held during the meeting of that body at 
Rochester, N. Y., August 17 to 20, 1892, at such times as will least conflict with 
other features of interest to the members. The meeting of the Association of 
Economic Entomologists, which will be held at the same time and place, will add 
to the attractions for all interested in the Science, and it is hoped that members will 
make it a point to be present and assist in making the Rochester meeting a success- 
ful reunion of all the working entomologists of America. It is urged, also, that 
every member prepare a paper or papers for presentation before the club, furnish- 
ing the Secretary with the titles in advance, so that a preliminary program may be 
drawnup. Asmost of the members of the club are also members of the Association 
of Economic Entomologists, it is suggested that subjects relating to applied ento- 
mology be presented before the latter society, reserving for the Club matters of a 
more purely scientific interest. Systematic, biologic, or anatomical studies, together 
with collecting notes, are especially desired and appropriate. 
C. L. MArRuatTT, 
Secretary Entomological Club A. A, A. 8S. 
