THE INJURIOUS SCALE INSECTS AND MEALY BUGS, kc. 255 
the globe. As instances of such introductions I may name the following 
species : — 
IscJmaspis filiformis, Douglas. 
Diaspis amygdali, Try on. 
Gymnaspis oschmecB, Newstead. 
Fiorinia fiorinice, Targ.-Tozz. 
F. heivensis, Newst. (n. sp.) 
Pinnaspis pandani, Comstock. 
Orthesia insignis, Douglas. 
Icerya csgyptiacum, Douglas. 
Thus within the last ten or tw^elve years we have seen the introduc- 
tion of at least eight species of coccids, of which Orthesia insignis may 
prove as universally injurious as our common "mealy bugs" (Dactyl- 
opius spp.). It needs, therefore, no further words of mine to show how 
important it is we should take every precaution, each and all of us con- 
cerned, to guard ourselves against such introduction. This can only be 
accomplished by systematic investigation and treatment of imported 
plants immediately on arrival in this country. As already stated, we 
have no recognised system of dealing with the wholesale consignments 
of infested plants, so that it may be well to consider how such work is 
carried out in other countries. In his admirable work on the coccid^e of 
Ceylon, Mr. E. E. Green enters fully into the subject, describing the 
treatment as adopted by himself from information supphed by Mr. 
C. P. Lounsbury, official entomologist at Cape Town. As I do not 
possess Mr. Lounsbury's official work, I have taken the liberty of ex- 
tracting from Mr. Green, who says (p. xv) : " For wholesale fumigation 
of plants and fruits there is nothing to equal hydrocyanic acid gas, 
generated by mixing cyanide of potassium, water, and sulphuric acid 
in certain proportions. This treatment is cheap and effectual. The gas 
is of the most deadly nature, and will penetrate every crack and crevice, 
and do its work thoroughly. The application is quite simple. All that 
is required is a close-filling chamber, provided with a flue for the escape 
of the gas after the operation. The more air-tight the chamber, the 
more complete will be the work. It should be fitted with racks to 
receive movable trays, upon which fruit may be spread. The objects to 
be fumigated are placed into position ; the chemicals are mixed in a 
leaden or earthenware pan and placed on the floor, the door shut, and 
the room kept closed for from half to three-quarters of an hour. The 
flue is then opened, and, after a sufficient time (about half an hour) has 
been allowed for ventilation, the door is unlocked and the plants, &c., 
removed. It is not advisable to take the subjected plants directly into 
the open air if the sun is shining. They should be kept for a few hours 
under shade, which will greatly lessen any danger of damage. 
" Mr. C. P. Lounsbury, official entomologist at Cape Town, has 
kindly supplied me with full particulars of the work of the Fumigatorium 
at that place. From his letters and reports I have extracted the follow- 
ing directions and suggestions : ' For each 300 cubic feet of space 
enclosed (and in proportion for greater and smaller spaces) 1 oz. of 
98 per cent, potassium cyanide, 1 oz. of sulphuric acid, and 2 oz. of water 
