The Insects of the Past Tear and Progress in Insect Studies. 239 



from the present Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the Department. 

 Its studies are thorough and of great practical value. Its publications 

 are characterized by a merit that makes them eagerly sought for by 

 entomologists throughout the world. Its collections — remarkably 

 rich in biological material — its manuscript and other unworked mat- 

 ter relating to insect lives and habits, surprised me with their amount 

 and richness when a short time ago I was able to look over a small 

 portion of the accumulated store. 



The division has recently achieved a signal triumph, to which there 

 is but time merely to refer, interesting as the recital of its story at 

 some length would be. 



In 1868, a scale-insect, Icerya Purchasi, or, as it is popularly known 

 from its peculiar appearance, " the cottony-cushion scale," chanced to 

 be brought into California, on an acacia from Australia. It multi- 

 plied, spread rapidly, attacked almost every kind of vegetation, but 

 was especially destructive to orange trees. Its increase could not be 

 prevented by any means resorted to, although aided by all the scien- 

 tific skill that could be commanded. The orange trees were killed; 

 entire orchards were taken up and devoted to other uses. The orange 

 culture— so important an industry of the State — was apparently 

 doomed. 



It occurred to Dr. Eiley, chief of the entomological division, that 

 the ravages of the insect could be stayed, if the natural parasites that 

 had kept it from being a pest in its home in Australia, could be 

 secured, brought to California, propagated in sufficient number, and 

 then turned loose to seek their prey. After much labor and many 

 disappointments, a small appropriation was obtained sufficing to 

 defray the traveling expenses of two agents of the division. They were 

 dispatched to Australia, where they were successful in procuring some 

 °f the parasites and predaceous enemies of the Icerya, and in sending 

 them alive to this country. They were carefully cared for, propagated 

 |n confinement in large number, and then distributed throughout the 

 infested districts. One of the imported species, belonging to the 

 family of "lady-bugs" {Coccinellidce) has displayed wonderful powers 

 of multiplication, and remarkable fitness for the work assigned it. 

 from the five hundred and fourteen individuals imported last winter, 

 m five different sendings, the present progeny may be numbered by 

 the million. 



The success of this measure has far exceeded the most sanguine 

 expectations. It has been simply marvelous! The orange grower 

 n <>w points to orchards which were on the verge of ruin, where it is 



