f 
157 
by JM- Guerin Meneville in 1849 aud by Pasteur later. The dis¬ 
eases are each characterized, their external and internal symptoms 
are described, and various theories concerning the cause of mus- 
cardine and p&brine are mentioned. No remedies known for mus- 
cardine , but certain measures recommended as checks to the dis¬ 
ease and to its spread. As spores “retain their power of commu¬ 
nicating disease for at least three years,” cleaning and fumigating 
are very necessary. 
Pebrine is entirely dependent upon the presence and multipli¬ 
cation of corpuscles (Microsporidise) in the bodies of diseased 
worms. The disease is said to be both contagious and infectious, 
external symptoms usually appearing in four or five days after 
the corpuscles enter the intestines. The effect on the progeny 
depends upon the age of the worm w T hen infected, and a system 
of selecting eggs is founded on this fact. (The details of Pas¬ 
teur’s system of microscopical selection of eggs for both pebrine 
and flcicherie —the only diseases which necessitate care in this 
particular—are given in chapter VI. of this Bulletin.) 
Flcicherie is caused, according to Pasteur, by the development 
and multiplication of micro-organisms. The Italians claim that 
these are not always present in the flaccid worm, and are there¬ 
fore a result of the disease rather than the primitive cause. 
Disease highly infectious, and no satisfactory remedy known, pre¬ 
ventive measures affording the only safety. 
Grasserie said to be of little importance, since it is neither 
contagious nor hereditary. Maillot’s description given. Pebrine 
the only disease of the four which is hereditary in the true sense, 
flackerie and mmcardine being only indirectly so. 
1887. 
Forbes, S. A.—The Present Condition and Prospects of the Chinch- 
bug in Illinois. (Bull. Office State Ent. Ill. No. 2, 1887, 
p. 42; Fifteenth Rep. State Ent. Ill., p. 102.) 
Refers to artificial cultivation of the germs of the contagious 
diseases of the chinch-bug as a theoretical remedy only, requiring 
much additional study and experiment to make it practically useful. 
Osborn, Herbert —The Economic Utility of the Diseases of In¬ 
sects. (Trans.- Iowa State Hort. Soc., 1886, v. 21, p. 
400.) 
Summary of facts intended to show what practical use may be 
made of insect diseases, presenting brief descriptions of contagious 
diseases of silkworms, bees, flies, grasshoppers, and white grubs. 
As illustration of practical use, reports introduction into Iowa, from 
Illinois, of flacherie of European cabbage worm in 1883. Men¬ 
tions disadvantages of period of incubation. Considers bacterial 
diseases most likely to prove useful, but believes that “spread in 
nature will be affected by conditions beyond our control.” 
