38 



seen, although the species is usually abundant in this wood." A few days later I saw 

 another specimen less worn, but did not succeed in capturing it. 



The bustle consequent upon a change of residence prevented me in the early part of 

 last summer (1882) from doing much collecting, so that I had no opportunity to observe 

 at how early a date arthemis appears here ; but later in the season I spent a few days with 

 some friends in a collecting tour along the south shore of Cumberland Co., N. S., a distance 

 of forty-five miles. We were in search of plants and minerals, as well as insects. We 

 started on the 15th of August; on that day I observed two examples of arthemis, one of 

 which I took. It was sitting on a low shrub, and seemed to be perfectly stupid, making 

 no attempt to escape when I put my hand on it. It was a good deal worn and damaged. 

 On the three following days I observed quite a number, all in the same condition. At 

 several points they were quite abundant, especially where our road lay through damp 

 woods. Thus, so far as my observation extends, both in New Brunswick and Nova 

 Scotia, arthemis may be taken occasionally, in good condition, as late as the middle of 

 July, after which date I think few, if any, fresh specimens will be met with. 



I have no doubt that worn and faded specimens might have been found in this county 

 throughout August, or even in September last year. The extreme backwardness of the 

 spring probably retarded the development of the larvae, and thus caused the imagos to be 

 seen later than usual. 



DAMAGE CAUSED BY ANTS. 



By E. Baynes Reed, London, Ont. 



Early in the month of June I discovered that certain portions of the flooring and 

 supports of my verandah were giving way, and I accordingly sent for a carpenter to do the 

 necessary repairs. On taking up the flooring I found two nests of large black ants, and 

 examination showed that nearly the whole damage was caused by these insects. Large 

 joists were very much excavated, and in some cases eaten completely through ; two pillars 

 or posts eight inches square were eaten out to a distance of some two feet from the floor, 

 and unless prompt measures had been taken the corner of the verandah would in all proba- 

 bility have given way. I had noticed these ants for a couple of years back, but never 

 dreamt that they were so numerous or were doing so much injury. I sent specimens to 

 my friend. Dr. Hagen, and asked his opinion as to remedy. He writes me that the ant is 

 Formica ligniperda, Latr. f Camponotus ligniperdus, Mayr). He recommends an application 

 of boiling water in which soft soap has been largely dissolved. 



LAST YEAR'S COLLECTING. 



By J. Alston Moffat, Hamilton, Ont. 



The connection between the weather and insect life is an interesting subject, but one 

 that requires a vast amount of observation before any conclusions of much value can be 

 reached. We are all familiar with the relation of the weather to the crops, but insects 

 seem more dependent on favourable weather than vegetation is. The first part of a season 

 may be very injurious to vegetation, whilst later on a favourable change may occur and it 

 will recover all it lost and even exceed an average ; but with insects, if they have been 

 seriously interfered with in the early part of their career the result is generally fatal to 

 the bulk of them for that season. This is undoubtedly one of nature's methods for pre- 

 venting excess. Ontario has a varied range of climate, and what thus is said of one sec- 

 tion will not apply to others. Yennor considers Hamilton and neighbourhood endowed 

 with a climate peculiarly its own, and the verdict of concurrent opinion is favourable. But 

 whether it was the open winter or the long continued cold of spring, certain it is the 

 summer of 1882 was rendered remarkable by the absence of butterflies ; even those least 

 oVjservant remarked it. Pieris rapce appeared early, and then disappeared almost entirely 



