7 

































is should always be given; and in submitting parasites for determina— 
mH 20 is of great assistance and of much importance as a record for 
0} e who makes the determination, to have the name of the host insect 
sted with it. F. M. WEBSTER. 
ative to labels written in waterproof ink, why 1s it necessary to 
first in either absolute or 95% alcohol before placing in a wesk 
Gent of alcohol, when it is just as satisfactory to immerse the la- 
in the vial of alcohol they are intended for, direct? The only re— 
ireément is that the label be dry before immersing. J. J. DAVIS. 
BE. J. M. Alarich has returned to La Fayette, Ind., after com- 
ting his studies of the Sarcophagidae. 
“Mr. Desla Bennion has resigned from the Salt Lake, Utah Station. 
es The February news letter included mention of an innovation being 
ok od Out by the C. B. & Q. Railway Company with reference to the leas- 
Seoreright of ways to farmers for .alfaifa growing. It now appears that 
Chicago and Northwestern Railway on its line between Hastings and Su- 
e Nebr., along the South Platte River, has been leasing the right 
y free of charge for the past five years. There are now 100 leases 
force and about 400 acres are being used to raise alfalfa; and with 
@ increase in popularity of this wonderful forage plant, the applica- 
ins for Jeases are increasing. No fee is charged for the use of this 
but it is reserved to those farmers whose property adjoins the 
of way of the Northwestern Railway. The plan has created a spirit 
operation between the railroad and the farmers interested, and has 
ly improved the appearance of the right of way. 
_ The cage we have found best adapted to hatching eggs of the mite 
tophallus viridis and one that seems could be equally desirable for 
. incubation of insect or mite eggs of small size, is a tin salve box 
in Giameter and 20 mm deep, filled with the plaster paris and a 
Made in the plaster. The box is filled full of thin plaster. A 
of glass 25 mm square - a piece of a common slide is best — is 
for the cover to the cell. One corner is cut off so that one has 
Ouble in putting the lid on. The under edge of the glass is bevel 
“prevent material which collects underneath from holding it off che 
ce. This piece of glass is placed in the box lid and stuck there 
fans cf library paste. Place the lid on tight, pressing the glass 
®9 the plaster and invert the box so that in setting, the surface next 
the glass will te left free from bubbles: . After about two hours, re 
fe the lid and carefully pry the glass out of the plaster. The cell 
best be made by means of a steel drilling bit about ¢ or ¢ 
“in diameter, turning the bit with the fingers. This bit makes a 
id smooth tottom so that one can see all parts of the cell and con- 
thorough the glass cover by using a binocular without disturbing 
For insects that are not apt to escape when the lid is removed, a 
r box With several cells in 1t is very satifactory. A tin box : 
by Be by 14 inches with from 6 to 12 cells in the plaster under a 
pen glass seems to regulate ‘the moisture very well. Mr. D. J. Caf- 
y has used this kind of cage for hatching Isosoma grande eggs which 
fe been dissected from wheat plants. 
The writer has confined females of D. balteata and D. soror in the 
Ve box plaster cages and secured eggs from each of these species but 
er \ 
