15 



seriously damaged the maple trees, both hard and soft, in Illinois and the adjoining States. 

 The whole life history of this pest had been most carefully worked out by Miss Smith, 

 who also exhibited a very complete set of microscopical preparations of the insect in its 

 various stages, and also of a parasitic Chalcid discovered by her. One important point 

 noted was the migration of the bark-lice on the approach of the fall from the leaves to the 

 trunk of the tree, on which, however numerously they might be found together, their 

 position was always lengthwise with the trunk. In the South the insect was doubtless 

 double-brooded. . Dr. Fitch had briefly described the insect many years ago, but Miss 

 Smith had been enabled to work out many hitherto unknown points in its history. 



Various experiments have been tried to destroy the lice, but Miss Smith had found 

 the best success in using a Babcock or Chamber's Fire Extinguisher, charged in the usual 

 way, with the addition of a little crude carbolic acid, in the proportion of about one large 

 spoonful to six gallons of water. By means of the Extinguisher she was able to reach 

 even large trees, the cost being about 20 cents per tree. The remedy should be applied 

 before the insects become too old, otherwise a stronger preparation of carbolic acid was 

 necessary, and in consequence the trees might possibly suffer somewhat. 



Mr. Thos. Bassnett, of Jacksonville, Florida, had listened to the admirable account 

 with very great interest, inasmuch as in the South the culture of the Orange tree, in 

 which he was largely interested, was seriously threatened with extermination by the rava- 

 ges of a bark-louse similar to that described by Miss Smith, and he was glad to hear that 

 a remedy could be so successfully applied. 



Prof. C. V. Riley, of Washington, D.C., spoke, thanking the lady for bringing this 

 subject before the meeting, and complimenting her on the discoveries she had eff'ected. 

 He fully corroborated the statements made as to the extent of damage caused by bark-lice, 

 especially those affecting the Orange in the South. He strongly advocated the use of the 

 " Extinguisher " in similar cases, but recommended that kerosene should be tried instead 

 of carbolic acid ; it would, he thought, be found of less injury to the trees, and would de- 

 stroy the insect for some time after the formation of the scale, which the carbolic acid 

 would not do. It should not be applied in excess ; the ordinary proportion should be 

 about one part kerosene to twenty of water. 



The whole topic was very fruitful of discussion, and Miss Smith was much thanked 

 for her paper and for the drawings and microscopical preparations that accompanied it. 



On motion of Prof. Riley, seconded by Mr. Reed, a resolution was carried that a 

 committee be appointed to prepare a report, and submit it to the next session of the Club, 

 in regard to the quorum of members necessary to transact business. 



The Chairman appointed the mover and seconder and Prof. A. G. Wetherby as the 

 committee. 



Prof. Riley gave a brief abstract of some of the Entomological papers he proposed to 

 read to the Association. 



(1) . Notes on the life history of the blister beetles, and on the structure and deve- 

 lopment of the genus Ilornia, Riley. 



(2) On the larval growth of Gorydalis and Chauliodes. 



(3) On the means by which silk-worms issue from their cocoons. 



Hornia was parasitic on the common humble-bee, and had been successfuly identified 

 by careful study, although in several important points it differed from the Meloidoe to 

 which it belonged. 



The further larval history of Corydalis cornutus was given by Mr. Riley, and was most 

 interesting, especially to those members who had listened to Mr. Riley's first desciiptions 

 of this curious insect at the Detroit meeting. Mr. Riley had been very successful, in 

 elaborating the various points of difference between Corydalis and Chaidiodes.^ : --- -•>:# 



In discussion it was stated that the somewhat peculiar name of the "HellgrammiteFly" 

 for the Corydalis had been for many years in common use both on the Up^er ami Lower 

 Mississippi ; and that the equally curious name of " Dobson " was given to its larva, which 

 was largely used for bait by the river fishermen. 



On the paper relating to silk-M'-orms reference was made to Dr. Packard's recent theory 

 on certain spines on the wings of Bombycidae, which he stated were of service in assisting 

 the exit of the insect from the cocoon. 



