joint of the stem. When fully grown these larvæ harden and turn brown, resembling "flax-seeds" in shape and colour, and in this stage are well-known to observant farmers. The tiny smoky-winged midges themselves, the parents of the destructive maggots, appear in April or May, and again in August, but are seldom noticed, except by entomologists, as they are so excessively minute, and require a lens for their identification. The eggs are scarlet in colour and are laid inside the leaves of the food plant. The most effective remedies for this pest are (1). The late sowing of fall wheat; if this is postponed till about the last week in September the winged Hessian fly is gone before the young plant is sufficiently matured to receive its eggs; (2) The careful burning of all screenings and other refuse from the threshing mill; this will ensure the destruction of large quantities of the insect in the "flax-seed" state. It is well to do this whether the Hessian fly is known to be present or not; (3). The burning of the stubble after the crop has been removed; but if this is not practicable, it is well that the field. should be harrowed in order to cause any fallen grain to grow at once and make what is called a "volunteer crop." This will be attacked by the fly as a suitable place for the deposit of the autumn eggs, and the brood thus producod can be readily destroyed by a later plowing after the maggots are hatched out; (4) If a field is found to be infested, care should be taken to have such a rotation of crops that neither wheat, rye nor barley should be grown upon the same ground for at least another year; (5). Good cultivation and plenty of manure will produce a strong, healthy growth and enable many a plant to survive an attack that would be fatal to a less vigorous one.

I have trespassed upon your patience to mention these well-known remedies because the subject is of such vast importance, and constant iteration is required in order that our farmers may be made familiar with the methods of treatment that have been found most satifactory. While much can be done to ward off the evil by an intelligent employment of these remedies, it is cheering tɔ know that we do not entirely depend upon them for immunity, but that there are several minute parasitic insects which prey upon the Hessian-fly in its different stages, and in many instances prevent it from becoming a serious injury. During a recent visit to the central experimental farm at Ottawa, Mr. Fletcher showed me a nnmber of plants of barley that were attacked by the Hessian-fly, but in nearly every one that we pulled up we found a parasitic insect closely associated with the enemy and evidently doing good work in its destruction.

Another insect that has been attacking grain in many parts of the Province is the Grain Aphis (Siphonophora avena, Fab.) As everyone who is in the least degree observant must be familiar with the appearance and habits of plant-lice, it is unnecessary to enter into any description of this insect here; it will suffice to say that it is found of different colours, green, black, yellow or red, and that it attacks first the leaves of the plant and then the flowers and tender young grain, often causing very serious damage. This year it has appeared in many localities in Ontario, but it was at once attacked by its insect enemies, notably by the larvæ and beetles of various species of "Lady birds" (Coccinellida), the grubs of Syrphus flies, and the Aphidius-a four-winged parasitic fly. These natural enemies speedily reduced the numbers of the plant-lice and prevented their attack from becoming serious.

Cut-worms, the larvæ of several species of night-flying moths, Fig. 2, (Agrotis, Hadena, Mamestra) have been abundant in all parts of the country, and especially injurious in gardens, but on the whole their attack has been much less serious than last year. This may perhaps be accounted for by the character of

the season; the frequent rains during the spring and early summer causing a

vigorous growth in the young plants and carrying them quickly beyond the reach of injury, while the wet weather would probably interfere greatly with the comfort of the Cut-worms and their ability to attack. The use of poisoned traps, as recommended by Mr. Fletcher in his address last year, has proved most effective wherever tried. may repeat that they consist of loose bundles of weeds, clover or any succulent vegetation, which are tied together and then dipped into a strong mixture of Paris green and water, and scattered over the land three or four days before the crop is planted out or appears above the ground.

Fig. 2.

The Tent-caterpillars (Clisiocampa) which are usually so abundant and so injurious to fruit trees in spring and early summer have been remarkable for their absence or rarity, in all parts of Ontario. We hope, however, that all fruit growers and gardeners will be on the look out for them next spring and consign the webs and their inmates to a speedy destruction.

The Fall web-worm, Fig. 3, (Hyphantria textor, Harris) has been exceedingly abundant in all parts of

the Province that I have visited this year. I do not think that this insect causes much serious injury to the trees it infests, as it comes so late in the season when the leaves have to a large extent discharged their function as regards the growth and health of the tree, but it is a great eyesore with its unsightly webs, and should be got rid of by every tidy fruit-grower. Nothing is easier than to strip off the web and its living contents with the hands, or when out of reach, by

means of a pole with a swab of any kind tied to the end.

Fig. 3.

The larch saw-fly (Nematus Ericsonii), to which reference has been frequently made of late years, has not been nearly so abundant as usual in those parts of Ontario where it has hitherto prevailed. It is to be hoped that its natural enemies have multiplied to a sufficient extent to keep it in subjection and prevent its undue increase.

The squash-bug (Coreus tristis, De Geer), Fig. 4, has been very
abundant and troublesome in many parts of Western Ontario
this year.
Where hand-picking and crushing under foot
is impracticable, the insect may be readily destroyed by
the application of a mixture of coal oil and sand, sprinkled
over the stem and leaves nearest the root of the plant.

I have this year found a new insect enemy in the caterpillars of the beautiful wood-nymph moth (Eudryas grata, Fab.) Fig. 5 represents the caterpillar and moth. I have hitherto looked upon this lovely insect as an object of interest from its beauty and rarity, but this year

FIG. 4.

FIG. 5.

the caterpillars appeared in hundreds upon the Virginia creeper (Ampelopsis quinquefolia), which covers the front of our building at Port Hope with its graceful foliage. No attention was paid to these creatures at first, but it suddenly became apparent that they were rapidly devouring the leaves, and rendering most unsightly what was before a beautiful mass of green. They began their work near the ground and proceeded upwards, devouring the leaves as they went. On the 9th of August I had the infested creepers sprinkled with Paris green and water. One application sufficed to exterminate the insects, and none were afterwards to be seen. I have mentioned this instance particularly in order to bring before you the great advantage of using Paris green as a remedy for almost all leaf-eating insects-except, of course, those affecting cabbage and similar vegetables which are used as food. A judicious application of a very weak mixture will be found most efficacious. Proper care must, of course, be exercised when dealing with so virulent a poison. use as a remedy for the apple codling-worm and the plum curculio has now been fully demonstrated, and any fruit grower who will carefully follow out the directions published in our annual reports will, we are confident, be amply rewarded. It is a subject of no little gratification to us that fruit-growers in England have been at last persuaded to try this remedy, and in every instance that we have heard of the experiment has been crowned with success. It required two or three years of persistent effort on the part of Miss Ormerod aided by Mr. Fletcher to overcome the insular prejudice against adopting anything new and seemingly dangerous. Now that a beginning has been made, we hope for great results in the immediate future.

Its

Before leaving this practical portion of my address. I wish to refer to a kindred, though not an entomological matter. I have noticed in many parts of Ontario an alarming increase of the fungus growth on plum and other fruit trees, commonly called the "black knot." An Act was passed by the Ontario Legislature a few years ago ordering the cutting down and burning of all infested trees, and imposing penalties for neglecting to do so; but the law seems to be a dead letter and no one apparently dreams of enforcing it. It would be well for our municipal councils to instruct their path-masters and other officials to look after the black-knot and enforce the law wherever its provisions are neglected. If this is not done there will soon be no cherry or plum trees left in the country, as the disease rapidly spreads, and when once it attacks a tree it is almost hopeless to attempt a cure.

Another fungus disease to which I may call your attention is the "downy mildew" of the grape. It is exceedingly injurious and very prevalent. Fortunately it may be readily checked by the use of the "Bordeaux mixture," and other compounds which fruit-growers have employed with great success.

Turning now to what I may call the non-economic aspect of entomology— though all investigations into the habits and distribution of insects have their practical bearing at some time or other-it is worthy of remark that butterflies have been extraordinarily scarce in Eastern Ontario this year. Whole day's spent in collecting in localities where they were usually abundant have resulted in the capture of nothing worthy of mention. It is possible that the unwonted mildness of the winter, with its frequent changes from freezing to thawing, and the absence of snow, may have occasioned a great destruction among the hibernating

forms of diurnal lepidoptera. I am the more inclined to give credit to this cause, as I found recently at Nepigon and Port Arthur, where the winter was. quite as severe and prolonged as usual, butterflies were remarkably abundant, and could be found in hundreds whenever the sun was shining. Among other interesting captures at Nepigon, which has now become a famous hunting-ground, and where the butterfly collector, careering in hot haste with net in hand after a specimen, is not regarded as an escaped lunatic, as he would be in most parts of the country, but as a scientist engaged in quite as praiseworthy an occupation as trout-fishing-among my captures I may mention a number of specimens of Plusia belonging to several different species. As I only returned a few days ago I have not had time to get them identified, but I have brought several of them here for inspection. They were very active indeed upon the flowers of thistles and golden rod, flitting swiftly from one to another in the

hot sun.

Since our last annual meeting many important additions have been made to entomological literature. Mr. Scudder's grand work on "The Butterflies of the Eastern United States and Canada" was completed last September. It forms three large volumes, containing 2,000 pages and nearly a hundred plates and maps, about forty of which are coloured. It is truly a magnificent work and a monument of patient labor and careful scientific investigation. However much we may differ from the author on such vexed questions as generic nomenclature, the sequence of families, and the like, we must express our unbounded admiration for his ability and learning, and the excellence of his work. The long pages of descriptive matter are enlivened by essays on all manner of subjects connected with butterfly life, written in a particularly charming style, and to each chapter is prefixed a stanza or two of poetry, so apt and so beautiful, that one is lost in wonder at the diversity and extent of the author's acquaintance with literature. This feature of the work renders it available for all lovers of natural history, even though they may take no special interest in butterflies. The author has published the work at a large pecuniary sacrifice. The list of subscribers is strangely small, but we hope that ere long librarians everywhere will find out that without a copy of Scudder's butterflies their collection of books is very incomplete.

Self-sacrifice in the publication of entomological literature is the order of the day. A similar tale has to be told of the authors of the next two books that I wish to refer to. Mr. W. H. Edwards continues to issue his lovely illustrations of the "Butterflies of North America." The coloured figures of these insects in all their stages are the most perfect and the most beautifully executed that I have ever seen. Nine parts of the third series have now been issued, and the tenth is almost ready; but at what a cost to the author! In order to accomplish this stupendous work he has been obliged to dispose of his collections and nearly all his books-a sacrifice that would be heart-breaking to most of us.

The other work to which I referred is the Rev. Dr. McCook's " American Spiders and their Spinning Work," the second volume of which has just been issued. When complete the work will consist of three large quarto volumes, profusely illustrated with wood cuts and some coloured lithographic plates. It is written in a most interesting manner, and while thoroughly scientific, is so popularly and clearly expressed that it may be read with ease and delight by any one who cares to learn about the strange habits and peculiar life-history of these singular creatures. When finished it will certainly be the most complete and perfect work on spiders in the English language. In this case, too, the author is publishing at his own expense and does not expect to be reimbursed for his

outlay. All these works, I am glad to say, will be found in our Society's library and are available for the use of the members.

Serial publications on North American entomology continue to be represented by the Transactions of the American Entomological Society, Philadelphia; Psyche, Cambridge, Mass.; Entomologica Americana, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Insect Life, Washington, D.C., and our own Canadian Entomologist. Another addition has been made to the list this year by the issue of Entomological News and Proceedings of the Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. The working entomologist can hardly do without any of these publications; each one occupies its own special field, and all are valuable and interesting. Our own magazine, now in its twenty-second volume, continues to be issued with regularity, and, I am happy to say, receives contributions from all the most eminent entomologists in North America, and occasionally from others in Europe.

The study of economic entomology has been making vast strides during the last few years, owing to the establishment of experimental agricultural stations in all the States of the Union, and the appointment in many of them of a skilled entomologist. The bulletins issued from these stations and the central department at Washington are too numerous to mention in detail; they are replete with useful information and interesting records of experiments and observations. That the work is eminently scientific is shown by the names of those employed, for instance, Dr. Riley, Mr. Howard, Dr. Lintner, Professors Forbes, Cook, Smith, Fernald, Webster, Weed. These names, and many others, are familiar to us all as men of distinction in their several localities and departments.

In our own country much valuable work is being done by Mr. Fletcher, the Dominion Entomologist at Ottawa, not only by his investigations and the published results, but also by the addresses which he gives in different places to the meetings of Farmers' Institutes. He is in this way diffusing throughout the country a knowledge of friends and foes amongst insects, and the best modes of encouraging the former and exterminating the latter. The result of his work must in course of time be the saving of hundreds of thousands of dollars to the farmers and fruit-growers of the Dominion.

In England Miss Ormerod continues her unselfish devotion to the cause of economic entomology. Her annual reports are full of very valuable information, and have done much good in the mother land. It is gratifying to find that this department of practical work is being developed also in other parts of the British Empire. We have received a useful report on insect and fungus pests from the Department of Agriculture at Brisbane, Australia, prepared by Mr. Henry Tryon, of the Queensland museum, and several numbers of Indian Museum Notes, published at Calcutta by the Government of India Revenue and Agricultural Department. These "Notes" are edited by Mr. E. C. Cotes, and contain a large number of most interesting and valuable papers, both scientific and practical, illustrated with excellent engravings.

Before leaving this subject, I must not omit to mention the publication last autumn of a bulletin on the " Mediterranean Flour-Moth" (Ephestia Kuhniella, Zeller), prepared by Dr. Bryce, of Toronto, and issued by the Agricultural Department of Ontario. It is an excellent pamphlet and contains just what one wants to know about this new pest. The mischief referred to seems to have been stamped out, at least I have not heard of any further cases of attack in this province, and we may be quite certain that after the experience of last year, our millers will keep a sharp look out for the pest, and deal with it promptly should it show itself again.