132 
cases, the thorax being of a lighter color; its scientific name is Seym- 
nus cerviealis, Mills. So far as observed, this species has only attack¬ 
ed those lice found on the trunks and branches or at the surface of the 
ground. I have also noticed a mite very often in the vicinity of the 
colonies, under circumstances which led me to believe it preyed up¬ 
on these insects, but have not attempted, as yet, to determine the 
8TD6C16S. 
* Remedies .—When a tree ceases to grow with its usual vigor, its 
leaves becoming paler and more of a yellow hue than customary, and 
there is no apparent cause for this decline, it will then be well to ex¬ 
amine the roots, and see whether or not they are infested by this 
louse. If found, some one of the following methods for destroying 
them may be adopted. 
First, Dr. Fitch’s, which is to clear away the earth from the roots 
as far as it can conveniently be done, and pour strong soap-suds upon 
them in sufficient quantity to penetrate and saturate the crevices in 
the excrescences. The soil taken out should be removed and other 
soil substituted, or, if returned to its place, ashes should be freely 
mingled with it. In the nursery, when transplanting or lifting the 
young trees, if a careful examination, which should always be made, 
shows any signs of the lice on the roots, they should be dipped in 
strong soap-S"ds, which will generally effectually destroy the lice.. 
Another method, which was long ago practiced by French horticul¬ 
turists, and strongly recommended by Blot in his celebrated essay on 
this species, and which has also been recommended in this country by 
Harris, Walsh and Riley, is to drench the roots of the infested trees 
with hot water; applying a sufficient quantity to penetrate to all parts 
of the roots which are attacked. Riley remarks that, mulching around 
the infested trees has been found, by Mr. A. E. Reihl and others, of 
Alton, to have the effect of bringing the root-lice to the surface of 
the ground, thus rendering them more easily reached by the water. 
That mulching or surrounding the collar with rubbish has a tendency 
to collect these insects at this point is certainly true, at least, such 
appears to be the case so far as my observations have extended, but 
whether these are from the trunk or roots is a point I have not de¬ 
termined. It was on this account that I recommended mixing ashes 
or lime with the mulching immediately around the tree. 
As to the lice on the trunk and branches, Harris mentions the foi- 
lowing methods of destroying them: 
Melted resin, mixed with an equal quantity of fish-oil, put ou the 
infested spots, while warm, wdth a painters brush. Removing the old 
ar.d rugged bark and scrubbing the trunk and brandies w 7 ith a stiff 
brush. Applications of spirits of tar, turpentine, urine, kerosene, soft 
soap, and other similar substances have been recommended. 
The same author suggests the following method, wffiich requires too 
much time and trouble, except now^ and then in a case of a very valu¬ 
able tree: “Scrape off all the rough bark of the infested trees and 
make them perfectly clean and smooth early in the spring; then rub 
the trunk and limbs with a stiff brush wet with a solution of potash; 
after w’hich remove the sods and earth around the bottom of the trunks, 
and with the scraper, brush and alkaline liquor, cleanse that part as 
far as the roots can he conveniently uncovered. The earth and sod 
should immediatly be carried aw r ay, fresh loam should be placed around 
