45 
the cellular tissue above the digestive tube and strongly colored with 
reddish-brown. Continuing his observations, M. Danysz was able to 
lincl the same organ, a little modified but sufficiently recognizable, in 
both the chrysalis and the adult; in the latter the two reniform bodies 
being united into a single ovoid body. In the adult also this ovoid body 
is connected by two long canals with the genital armature, and as, more- 
over, the larva' with black spots always produced male adults, there is 
no doubt that ]Vlr. Geikie's Ichneumon egg is simply a testicle in pro- 
cess of evolution. It is interesting to note that among insects which 
undergo complete metamorphosis, as is the case with Ephestia, there is 
generally histolysis of all the organs of the larva during the chrysalis 
stage: here, however, the testicle formed in the body of the larva con- 
tinues to develop in the chrysalis while all the other organs undergo 
complete histolysis. It is perhaps the first example of a larva the dif- 
ferent sexes of which are so distinctly marked by a character which is 
visible externally. M. Danysz proposes to complete his interesting 
observation by a more profound histologic examination. 
THE CARNATION "TWITTER." 
We have recently received an inquiry from Mrs. Celia Thaxter, of 
Isle of Shoals, concerning a new disease of her Carnation plants. An 
examination of specimens showed that the trouble was caused by an 
Anthomyiid larva working in the stems of the plants near the ground. 
Many plants were killed and we are now endeavoring to rear the adult 
insect. Mrs. Thaxter called our attention to a paragraph in Peter 
Henderson's Catalogue of Plants which evidently refers to this insect: 
The Carnation Twitter is an insect but little known and in this district only by 
its local name of (: Carnation Twitters," given from its rapid and nervous motion. 
As seen by the naked eye, it is about the twentieth of an inch in length, and of a 
thickness not more than that of a needle point. It is of various shades of color, 
from green to black. It is never very numerous on plants, but most destructive, and 
evidently poisonous in its attacks on all varieties of the Carnation or Dianthus 
family. Its effects on plants somewhat resemble those of the Ked Spider, except 
that when attacked by the Twitter the leaves have a cankered and twisted 
appearance, easily distinguishable from the browning effects of the spider, and it is 
far more destructive. We have often seen thousands of Carnation plants destroyed 
by it in a season. We regret to say that so far we have found nothing that will 
destroy this insect that does not at the same time injure the plant. We have tried 
tobacco in ail forms, lime, soot, hellebore, Paris green, quassia, aloes, and all the nos- 
trums usually baneful to insect life, without seeming in the slightest to disturb the 
Twitter. We have found, however, that its ravages are worse on light soils. On 
heavy stiff clay land we have never know it to do much injury. — [Henderson's 
Handbook, new edition, under insects, p. 204]. 
Are any of our readers familiar with this trouble, and can they send 
us additional specimens to assist in the full study of the life history? 
A MEALY BUG ENEMY TO SUGAR CANE IN THE WEST INDIES. 
We have recently received from Mr. Barber, director of agriculture 
of the Leeward Islands, two very interesting mealy bugs which are 
