212 
SCIENCE. 
TWO NEW METHODS OF FIGHTING INJURI- 
OUS INSECTS* 
By Prof. A. J. Cook. 
The Codling Moth has been, and is, the most serious pest 
to the American pomologist. All previous remedies have 
only destroyed the Imago insect, alter the larva of the same 
had destroyed the apples. London Purple, applied as a 
liquid mixture, one pound of the poison to too gallons of 
water, sprinkled on the trees once in May and again in 
June, has saved the fruit of the following season. Upon 
picking the fruit in August, the most delicate chemical test 
could find none of the poison on the apples. 
Bisulphide of carbon, so excellent in fighting museum 
pests, and so much es.eemed as a specific against the grape 
phyloxera in Europe has been tried by the author of the 
paper to destroy the Cabbage Maggots, Anthomyia brassicic , 
and other insects which infest subterranean stems, etc , with 
excellent success, 
A hole is made in the ground, the liquid poured in and 
the hole quickly filled with earth, which is pressed down 
with the foot. The hole is made with a small rod, close to 
the plant, and about a table spoon-full of the liquid poured 
into each hole. 
«•> 
SOME OF THE INFUSORIA FOUND IN FRESH 
POND, CAMBRIDGE.* 
By S. P. Sharples. 
This paper was a general review of observations on the 
water of Fresh Pond, as delivered in the City of Cambridge. 
These observations extend, at intervals varying from a few 
days to a month, over three years. Particular attention was 
called to the fact that there seems to be a marked peiiodi- 
city in the forms of life in the water, some appearing at cer- 
tain seasons and then disappearing again. This periodicity 
is not always annual, but may embiace a period of time cov- 
ering several years. Attention was called to the necessity 
of continued observation ot a water in order to understand 
its character. The periodical bad taste of certain waters 
was referred to, and the suggestion made, that in order to 
discover the cause of this, extended observations were ne- 
cessary, as frequently the ciuse had entirely disappeared 
when the investigation commenced. A new species of An- 
nurea observed in the pond, was described as follows: 
Annurea Longirostris, lorica, witn four anterior and one 
posterior spine; thr. e of the anterior spii es short about 
halt the length of tire lorica; the fourth twice the length of 
the lorica; the posterior of the same length as the long an- 
terior, otherwise resembling Annurea Stipata, though more 
slender. 
BOOKS RECEIVED. 
The Metric System and Interchange of Weights 
and Measures. By B. Beach, Jr., and E. N. 
Gibbons, Principals ot the Fifth Avenue School of 
New York City. G. P. Putnam’s Sons. New York. 
1880. 
The metric system has been adopted by all civilized 
nations except Russia, England and the United States, 
and its universal adoption is earnestly desired by the 
educated and scientific classes ot this country. It has 
been adopted or recommended by the National Academy 
of Sciences, the American Metrological Sociely, the 
American Association for the Advancement of Science, 
by the American Society ot Civil Engineers, the United 
States Coast Survey, the United States Marine Hospital 
Service, the Amencan Medical Association, the Congress 
of Ophthalmogists, by leading medical societies and 
journals, by numerous boards ot education, college facul- 
ties and local scientific societies. It is also our wish that 
contributors to this journal should, on all occasions, use 
the metric system, and we have pleasure in direc.ing atten- 
tion to the present cheap and handy little manual, writ- 
ten for those desirous ot making use of the metric sys- 
tem. As a class-book in schools it will prove very val- 
uable, as rules and examples are given for working out 
problems for all weights and measures, answers to which 
are given, on an extra sheet, with each book. We ad- 
vise all who are undecided as to the policy ol using the 
metric system to read Dr. R. H. Ward’s able plea for its 
introduction in No. 5 of “ SCIENCE,” published the 31st of 
July last. lie concludes with the practical observation 
that the proper way to introduce it is to use it yourself. 
We believe the publication of Messrs. Beach and Gib- 
bons’s manual will be a great aid in securing its universal 
use. 
Fourteen Weeks in Physics. ByJ. Dorman Steele, 
Ph. D., F. G. S., author of “Fourteen Weeks in 
Natural Science.” A. S. Barnes & Company. New 
York, Chicago and New Orleans. 
This is an excellent elementary work on Physics 
adapted to the class-room, written in a happy style to 
interest the student and well supplied with illustrations. 
The author employs simple hnguage, which is readily 
intelligible, and the experiments are within the reach of 
every pupil. In order to familiarize the pupil with the 
metric system it is constantly employed in the problems. 
As an introduction to the study of physics we consider 
this work one of the best for the use of young students. 
The Young Chemist. — A book of Laboratory work 
for beginners. By John H. Appleton, A. M., Pro- 
fessor of Chemistry in Brown University. Second 
Edition. Price 90 cents by mail. Cowperthwaite & 
Co., Philadelphia. 
The purpose of this book is to aid in the instruction of 
pupils in chemistry by the experimental or object method, 
and the author has attempted to remove at least one ob- 
jec ion to this method by economizing the time of the in- 
structor, and we are glad to admit that the cost of sup- 
pi es has been greatly reduced of late. Professor John 
H. Appleton claims with truth the following advantages 
for his work : — First , the apparatus described and the 
supplies called for, are of the simplest character. Second, 
the experiments are described in clear and simple language, 
and in direct form ; the pupil can hardly fail to perform 
them successfully, even without the special aid of the 
teacher. Third, dangerous experiments have been ex- 
cluded. Fourth, the chemical elements are discussed in 
a scientific order, which, while it aids the memory, does 
so upon correct principles. Fifth, formulas and re- 
actions are introduced freely, so that the student learns 
the new nomenclature and new notation without suspect- 
ing it. This work is not an experiment, the first edition 
hav.ng been used with success by Professors of great 
experience. 
A Short Course in Qualitative Chemical 
Analysis. By Professor John H. Appleton, A. M., 
Brown University. Fourth Edition. Price, 90 cents 
by mail. Cowperthwahe & Co. Philadelphia. 
The author has used this work in his own class for 
many years, and to those who are unable to purchase 
the more bulky and costly manuals this little work will 
be found of great use. It has the advantage of brevity 
and compactness. It prescribes the most direct anti 
simple course of analysis, and presents a large number 
of formulas and reactions. This work and the “Young 
Chemist,” by the same author, will be found very suit- 
able for those who require a reliable introduction to the 
study of chemistry. 
* Read before the A. A. A. S., Boston, 1880. 
