100 
its numbers, makes it seem at last unlikely that any extraordi¬ 
nary loss will follow next year in the territory which has been so 
long infested.” ; 
Reviews the writer’s earlier work on contagious diseases of the 
chinch-bug characterized by bacteria and Entomophthora, begin¬ 
ning in 1882. Reports finding dead chinch-bugs in Southern Illi¬ 
nois enveloped in Retrytis [Sporotrichum ] July 7, 1887, and much 
more abundantly August 7, 1888; also occurrence of infections by 
Entomophthora and bacteria. Gives particulars of observations in 
field and laboratory, together with culture experiments. Cultures 
of Bacillus insectorum were repeatedly successful, but similar ex¬ 
periments with Entomophthora and Botrytis [Sporotrichum] failed. 
“At present it appears that all except perhaps the bacterial dis¬ 
ease are closely dependent for their activity on the weather, 
although their generally rapid development over so large a terri¬ 
tory indicates their presence at all times to a greater or less ex¬ 
tent. * * * In order to obtain the free and rapid development 
of the Entomophthora or Botrytis [Sporotrichum] it was neces¬ 
sary to enclose the chinch-bugs under glass over moist earth. 
* * * That- it is chiefly to the joint action of these various 
disease-producing fungi, favored as they are by moist weather, that 
we owe the disappearance of chinch-bug outbreaks, is rendered 
almost certain by the facts now on record.” 
Forbes, S. A.—Chinch-bug Probabilities. (Belleville, [Ill.] Advo¬ 
cate, March 15, 1889.) 
Three contagious diseases prevalent last September and October 
in south-central and north-southern Illinois; one an intestinal dis¬ 
ease, due to a bacillus; and the others, to spore-producing fungi. • 
Each killed off vast numbers of chinch-bugs in the corn. Similar 
occurrences in 1861 and 1882 followed by long relief from chinch- 
bugs,. and occurrence last fall adds a hopeful feature to the pres¬ 
ent situation, as wet weather would be almost certain to take more 
prompt and vigorous effect because of the presence of this con¬ 
tagious malady. Dry weather the coming season, on the other 
hand, may check them. 
Riley, C. V.—The Chinch-bug Eutomophthora. ( Insect Life, 
v. 2, No. 5, Nov., 1889, p. 126.) 
A critical notice of an article in the “Lawrence [Kansas] Daily 
Journal,” concerning experiments by Prof. F. H. Snow. 
Riley, C. Y.—The Work of Field Agents. (Rep. Sec. of Agr. 
[U. S.] 1889, pp. 359, 360.) 
Note of unsatisfactory field experiments made by Mr. F. M. 
Webster in Indiana with fungous diseases of the chinch-bug 
which prove that these diseases will not spread unless great 
masses of the fungus occur and the weather be “over-moist.” 
Also mentions the spontaneous occurrence of a fungous disease of 
the differential locust ( Melanoplus differentialis) caused by En - 
tomophthora calopieni. 
