NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 
231 
Wittia panamensis Britton and Rose. By R. A. Rolfe (Bot. Mag. t. 8799, 
June 1919). — A plant intermediate in habit between Phyllocactus and Epi- 
phyllum but with small purple flowers. It thrives in the succulent house at 
Kew. — F. J. C. 
Wood for the Tropics, White-Ant-proof. By T. E. Snyder (Journ. Econ. 
Entom. vol. xiv. pp. 496-501, Dec. 1921). — A method for treating cabinet wocds 
is impregnation with chlorinated naphthalene. This crystalline wax is used in 
open vats at a temperature of 220°-240°F., and 15 minutes' immersion for £ inch 
wood renders it proof against white ants and moisture. 
Soft woods over which ant-proof veneers could be glued can be satisfactorily 
treated with bichloride of mercury or zinc chloride. Construction timbers 
or timber in contact with the ground should be impregnated with coal-tar creosote, 
which is a permanent preventive against ants and fungus attacks. — G. W. G. 
Woolly Aphid of the Apple and Elm, The. By F. V. Theobald {Jour. Pom., 
II., ii. pp. 73-92 ; 1 fig., 5 plates). — The life-history of the woolly aphis, 
Eriosoma lanigera Hausmann, is here given. Its introduction into this country 
from America in 1796 is doubted, as it was known in Europe before this date. 
A comparison is made between the life-history of the Aphides and of the 
sub-family, Eriosomatinae. 
There are four life cycles : (1) permanently on the apple above ground, 
(2) permanently on the apple below ground, (3) migration from root and stem, 
and (4) living in its original manner between its primary host, the Elm (Ulmus 
campestris and U. montana) and the apple. 
It is spread by (1) the flight of the winged females, (2) wind carrying the 
wingless forms in the wool from tree to tree, and (3) by birds and insects carrying 
the insects on their bodies. 
Remedies recommended are the application of " Tanglefoot " bands to prevent 
the migration from root to stem, as soil fumigants and insecticides have proved 
of little use. Nursery stock should be fumigated with hydrocyanic acid gas 
before it is dispatched. 
A list of eighty-five varieties of apples is given, showing those (a) badly, (b) 
slightly, and (c) not attacked, of which there are only eight. Paradise stock is 
attacked worst, crab runs it close, Northern Spy and Winter Majetin are 
immune. 
„ Natural enemies include the Blue and Great Tits, Tree Creeper, Chaffinch, 
Sparrow, larvae of Coccinella septempunctata, and a Pipirya larva devouring the 
root form. In the Elm leaf stage, the parasites comprise Braconidas, also 
Syrphidae, Coccinellid larvae, etc. — G. F. W. 
Yellow-fever Mosquito in Ant Guards, Flower Vases, and Similar Containers, 
The Control of Breeding of. By Jas. Zerek [Jour. Econ. Entom. vol. xiii. pp. 344- 
350 ; Aug. 1920). — Not less than 2 grammes of paradichlorobenzene is recom- 
mended per litre of- water in the container to prevent the breeding of mosquito 
larvae therein ; the application to be repeated at least every ten days. It 
should be added to the water in a powdered form. A similar quantity of 
powdered camphor gave equal results, but is more expensive. The deleterious 
action on the larvae of Stegomyia fasciata ( = Aedes calopus) is due to the heavy 
vapour gradually given off, which, resting on the surface of the water, is toxic 
to the larvae when breathed by them. Apparently the objection to the use 
of a 2 per cent, solution of common salt, which Dr. J. W. Scott Macfie found 
to be effective, is its action on plants. — G. W. G. 
