56 
by Mr. Olliff to belong to either Aulacophora or Monolepta, since the 
genus Diabrotica is not known to occur in Australia. The larvae referred 
to by Mr. Koebele as undetermined Scarabreids were found by Mr. 
Olliff to belong to Anoplognathus concolor, Lepidiota squamulata, Lepi- 
doderma albohirtum, and to an undetermined species of the genus Het- 
eronyx. These larvae, however, he did not find numerous or destruc- 
tive. 
THE BLACK PEACH APHIS IN NEW YORK. 
In Bulletin 49 of the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment 
Station, Mr. M. Y. Slingerland announces the appearance of the Black 
Peach Aphis (Aphis persicw-niger) in Niagara County, N. Y. Mr. Slinger- 
land follows this announcement with a compiled account of the habits 
of the species. 
THE PURPLE SCALE IN CALIFORNIA. 
The excitement in southern California of a year ago, over the impor- 
tation of Mytilaspis citricola upon cuttings, will be remembered by 
some of the readers of this journal. The general consensus of opinion 
was that neither this scale nor the Long Scale (M. gloverii), was likely 
to obtain a foothold on the Pacific coast. According to the Rural 
Calif ornian for September, however, the Purple Scale is now an estab- 
lished pest in one or two localities in Los Angeles County. We have 
not the exact facts, but see no reason to doubt the statement. It will 
be interesting to ascertain whether the conditions of dense shade and 
consequent moisture, so favorable to its development in Florida, hold 
in those localities in southern California in which it has appeared. So 
far as we know the genus Mytilaspis has no native representatives on 
the Pacific coast, but M.pomorum and one or two other species have 
shown themselves to be readily adapted to almost any climate. 
INSECTS IN THE HUMAN EAR. 
We are indebted to Mr. J. B. Nelson, managing editor of the Post- 
Intelligencer, Seattle, Wash., for the following clippings. Mr. Nelson 
states that both stories are well authenticated. The insect is probably 
Lucilia macellaria: 
Toledo, September 1. — John McKune, a rancher and logger residing near Ladew post- 
office, is the subject of a queer affliction. While driving home from town one even- 
ing last week he felt a hug or fly of some kind strike his ear and crawl in. He 
endeavored to remove it, and supposed he had clone so. A few days later his ear 
began to pain him. and he thought he could feel something crawling within. It 
became unbearably painful so he prevailed on a friend to pour the ear full of tur- 
pentine. The eft'ect was magical. Twenty maggots came from the ear. A number 
of persons witnessed the exit of the maggots. Dr. Green was called and concluded 
that the fly had remained in the ear long enongh to "blow," possibly, a score inside 
the ear, though the man thought the ear perfectly well. The victim is recovering, 
and the ear appears not to be affected. 
Spangle, Wash. — William Weaver has a young man working for him who has been 
troubled for some time with a sore ear. Last Monday Mr. Weaver persuaded the 
