328 
the larval state in the roots of Persimmon in Florida. We have recently received 
larva? of the same insect in the roots of persimmon saplings from Delaware, and 
during April the same thing came to us from our friend and correspondent, Mr. G. 
C. Brackett, Lawrence, Kans. The species therefore is widespread, and probably 
being still more widely spread by the recent traffic in persimmon nursery stock. 
Box-elder Plant-bug in Houses. — Mr. "William M. Freeman, of Dayton, Wash., 
has recently sent us specimens of Leptocoris trivitiatus, with the statement that it 
occurs in numbers in his house. We have previously recorded instances of this kind. 
The insect feeds irpon box-elder shade trees and hibernates in the adult stage, 
seeking the warmth and shelter of dwellings. We have heard unsubstantiated 
rumors that the insect will enter beds and bite human beings under these circum- 
stances. 
Cottonwood Scale insects, — Mr. Lawrence Bruner has found in Nebraska two 
scale-insects which injuriously affect the cottonwood tree. One of these is Com- 
stock's Chionasjris ortholoois, and the other is a larger and undescribed species of 
the same genus. 
Larvae in a Child's Face. — Our note under this head published on page 270 of 
the last number of Insect Life has attracted the attention of Prof. Raphael Blanch- 
ard, the eminent French naturalist, who is anxious to secure specimeus. We have 
been unable to get any as yet. Prof. Blanchard has especially studied the subject of 
these Dipterous parasites of human beings, and has published several important 
papers on this topic. Readers of Insect Life are requested to report any new cases 
which may come under their observation. 
Clover-leaf Beetle in Maryland. — A great abundance of Phytonomus punctatus 
around Washington has been noticed for some years past. The fungus disease which 
has carried off the larvsB of these beetles in such great numbers in New York and 
Pennsylvania has also been observed in this vicinity. We have recently received 
specimens from western Maryland, with the information that the insect is doing 
great damage to the clover crop this spring. The fungus disease has not been 
noticed in the locality. This case is so serious that the plowing under of the crop 
has been advised. 
Galls on the Roots of Poison Ivy. — Mr. Walter H. Harrison, of Lebanon Springs, 
N". Y., sends us some small oval fleshy galls found on the roots of Rhus toxicodendron, 
which are evidently the work of a Cecidomyiid larva. The species is new to the 
National Museum collection and the adult is not known. 
Early Appearance of Benacus griseus. — Mr. C. F. Stamm, of Chestertown, 
Md., sends us an active specimen of the Giant Water-bug (Benacus griseus) which 
was captured at Chestertown on the 26th of March. 
A Walnut Scale on Pear. — Prof. H. A. Morgan, of Baton Rouge, La., has made 
an interesting find. The English Walnut Scale (Aspidiotus juglans-regice) described 
by Comstock in the Annual Report of this Department for 1880 (p. 300), from speci- 
mens found on an English walnut tree at Los Angeles, Cal., is found by Prof. Mor- 
gan to occur in numbers upon pear trees near Baton Rouge. This is another of the 
scale-insects of very considerable economic importance, the original home and 
spread of which have not been successfully studied, although it is probably an 
American species. 
GENERAL NOTES. 
NEW jersey's proposed legislation ag-ainst insects. 
In the department of Economic Entomology of Entomological Neivs 
for February, 1894, Prof. John B. Smith discusses the subject of legis- 
lation against insects, and gives the text of a law drafted by a com- 
