BTJBEAU OF ENTOMOLOGY AND PLANT QUARANTINE 
91 
terials previously studied (rotenone and related compounds) to simpler com- 
pounds, a study of which was considered more likely to uncover fundamental 
relationships. The toxicity of phenol was compared with thai of phenyl mer- 
captan or thiophenol, and it was found that in this case the substitution of sul- 
phur, an element of recognized toxic value, for oxygen produces a compound 
about six times as toxic. Then the three isomeric cresols formed by introduc- 
ing a OHs group into phenol were studied, and it was found that while the meta 
compound was slightly less toxic, the ortho compound was appreciably more 
so, and the para compound about twice as toxic as phenol. Finally, the effect 
of introducing sulphur into these materials to form the corresponding thio- 
cresols was studied. This work has not yet been completed, but it is apparent 
from the results so far obtained that the meta compound is the least and the 
para compound the most toxic, as was the case with the cresols themselves. 
There is thus some indication that the position in which substitutions occur 
plays a definite part in determining the toxic value. 
TRANSIT INSPECTION 
The value of transit inspection in connection with the enforcement of the 
regulations of Federal domestic plant quarantines is definitely shown by The 
fact that since its establishment by Congress as a project, beginning July 1, 
1930, 12,950 violations of the regulations of such quarantines have been inter- 
cepted. During the same period over 8,200,000 package shipments were in- 
spected. In other words, a violation of quarantine regulations was found in 
approximately every 634 shipments inspected. 
During the year 15 live adult Japanese beetles were intercepted at midwestern 
points during the inspection of carloads of fruits and vegetables that had been 
consigned from the area in New Jersey and Pennsylvania which is heavily 
infested with the beetle. 
Transit inspection is carried out in cooperation with several of the States in 
which transfer points are located, and with the hearty assistance and support 
of the employees of the Post Office Department and the railway and express 
companies. The adequate enforcement of Federal plant quarantine regulations 
is vital to State protection, and it is expected that many more States will coop- 
erate with the transit inspection project, now that under the recent amendment 
to the Terminal Inspection Act States which establish terminal plant inspection 
may return to the consignors shipments that have been mailed in violation 
of quarantines of the State of destination. Prior to this amendment, authority 
to return shipments was limited to those sent in violation of Federal plant 
quarantine regulations, or to those which were infested with an injurious pest 
and incapable of disinfection. 
In tables 24 and 25 it will be noted that during the year 1,151,960 package 
shipments were inspected for quarantine compliance at 22 points and that J/Jd!) 
violations of Federal quarantine regulations were intercepted. The tables in- 
clude statistics not only for stations where Federal inspection is maintained but 
also for those worked cooperatively with States or other projects of the Bureau. 
Table 24. — Siwvmary of shipments of nursery stock and other plants and plant 
products inspected in transit during the fiscal year 1986 
Station 
Shipments 
Carloads 
Station 
Shipments 
Carloads 
Albany... 
Number 
1,643 
6,645 
36, 807 
15,840 
76,446 
35. 322 
6,885 
38,473 
4.004 
38, 567 
12,748 
135,713 
Nu mber 
Omaha and Council Bluffs. 
Philadelphia 
Number 
190. 093 
317,339 
13, 191 
11,044 
Number 
Atlanta 
» 17, 504 
Boston 
irgh 
Buffalo 
Portland, Oreg 
Chicago.. 
1,000 
St. Louis 
St. Paul and Minneapolis. . 
Seattle 
Cleveland. 
4 
Detroit 
Indianapolis .. 
Jacksonville 
i 1, 020, 355 
Total 
2 1,151,960 
1.038,863 
• Waybills examined to determine nature of shipment and quarantine status. 
2 Of the above shipments 755,588 were consigned by parcel p ist, 351,929 by express, and 14,443 by freight. 
