authors have recorded this insect as feeding upon several species of Medicago as well as Trifolium incarnatum in addition to red clover. The known distribution as given by Titus (Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. 4:440–41) shows that this European species has established itself pretty well over New England and also in the Hudson valley. It would seem from our observations that the customary early cutting of clover for hay will ordinarily prevent serious injury though this would not apply to sections where clover seed is generally produced. We have, in this species, a recent introduction which will bear watching and may, like its forerunner and ally, the much larger, punctured clover leaf weevil, Hypera punctata Fabr., cause considerable apprehension if not serious injury. E. P. FELT. White ants, historical. It may be of some interest to Boston readers to know that on November 15, 1883, twenty-nine years ago, the Boston Evening Transcript devoted two and one-half columns to an invasion of the State House by White Ants. Quoting from the article: "Now that election is over and the people have had time to shift their thoughts from the governor and his campaign, it would be improper to further delay speaking of the new danger which threatens the Capitol of the Commonwealth. The enemy which has effected a lodgement under the gilded dome is small but mighty and his name is legion. He works in the dark and unceasingly. He would undermine our halls of legislation and offices of state. He is the Guy Fawkes whose plotting is perennial, the blowing up of whose mine is ever imminent. He is at this moment perhaps making ready for the grand overthrow and demolition of the crowning glory of Beacon Hill. His point of attack is at the foundations, and his name is Termes flavipes or in vulgar parlance, the white ant." The room in which they first appeared was in the center of the building and it was feared that if their progress was not checked, the wooden girders might be attacked and result in bringing down the whole structure. If this did not happen, there would at least be some danger to life and limb if the stair supports became infested. In 1882 a document stored in what was then known as the "Dungeon" in the basement of the State House was found to have been eaten in a rather odd manner and Mr. Pierce, then Secretary of State, sent a sample to Doctor Hagen, who at once pronounced it as the work of "white ants." The papers were taken out and sprinkled with insect powder and the contents of the room put in bags and subjected to fumigation with sulphur. According to the article, Doctor Hagen advised a thorough examination by a competent and conscientious engineer. The shelves of the room where they were found were to be taken out together with the plastering and the woodwork beneath thoroughly inspected. Particular pains were to be taken to find out if the insects had gone up or down stairs. Inasmuch as their presence was suspected in other parts of the building, the expenditure of $1,000 was advised for an examination which might save ten thousand dollars some years later. Doctor Hagen also thought that a standing item for this work should be included in the annual appropriation bill so that the publie would be constantly reminded of the danger threatening their capitol and its contents. The nest of the ants was supposed to be in the Common or Public Garden or in. an old tree in the vicinity Doctor Hagen then called attention to a wooden bridge at Porters Station, which was injured by "white ants" and to an ashpit in the works of Alvan Clark & Sons (makers of astronomical instruments) at Cambridgeport, the posts of which, becoming honey combed with ant chambers, collapsed some time in 1876. The bridge at Porters Station was supposed to have been selected by the ants on account of its moist condition, caused by the steam from locomotives which were stopped under it forty times or more every day. The article then quotes at some length from Doctor Hagen's paper "The Probable Danger of White Ants" which appeared during 1876 in the American Naturalist. H. B. WEISS. Bleeding trees. The exudation of sap and an accompanying discoloration of the bark below, the latter caused in part probably by precipitates, is more or less familiar to all conversant with trees and is particularly likely to occur on sugar maples and the American elm. The causes of this trouble, owing largely to the fact that the flow originates at a somewhat inaccessible point, are not well understood. There may be several factors involved, and observations made by competent parties at different times show that these exudations may be inhabited by Dipterous maggots. Dr. E. B. Southwick mentions this (Insect Life 7: 136) and attributes it to the sap fly, Mycetobia pallipes, though there is a statement to the effect that Dr. Hopkins then thought it might be due to a species of Sciara. Last fall we observed numerous larvæ superficially resembling Sciara, inhabiting a somewhat profuse flow of sap originating from a crevice in the trunk of a sugar maple at Kinderhook, N. Y. The point below the injury was brown, corrugated and seemed to be covered with precipitates from the sap. Examination of the cavity showed the larva to be present in the deepest portion of the crevice where they apparently kept the tissues in a constant state of irritation. Sap issuing from a similar wound on a horsechestnut trunk was inhabited by probably identical larvæ. A study of the larva obtained from the above mentioned sugar maple shows that it can not be a species of Sciara and is probably referable to the genus Ceratopogon, particularly as Joseph Mik describes as C. hippocastani, adults reared from very similar larvæ which he found in sap from a bleeding horsechestnut. A study of the specimens we collected showed the presence of jaws admirably adapted to gnawing or eroding the more tender cortical tissues. In view of the fact that many of these bleeding wounds are known to be inhabited by Dipterous maggots, some of which at least resemble Sciara larvæ, it would not be surprising if this Ceratopogon or its allies at least, prevented the normal healing of wounds and, under certain circumstances, may be the prime cause of the trouble. The larva is described below in order to facilitate the recognition of this insect. Larva. Length 5.5 mm., diameter .5 mm., a slender, white larva with a brown or dark head and superficially resembling Sciara. The head has a diameter posteriorly equal to that of the body and tapers anteriorly to an irregularly truncate apex bearing the mouth-parts, the length being nearly equal to its greatest diameter. The mandibles are decurved, apparently biarticulate, the distal sclerite narrowly triangular and apically with a stout, curved tooth, the ventral margin being variably armed with smaller, stout spines. The basal sclerite is subquadrate, with a length about four times its width and articulates with the exo-skeleton of the head and also with a sub-median, slender interval rod extending to the posterior fourth of the head and there articulated with a similar slender member of a hyoid-like structure extending in turn to the posterior margin of the head. The mouth laterally and ventrally appears to be guarded or assisted in its functions by two pair of rounded lobes, each margined with a thick tuft of rather long, recurved setæ. There are other mouth structures which we will not attempt to describe. Antennæ biarticulate, the basal segment with a length its diameter, the apical segment appearing as a very broad, button-like appendage. The exo-skeleton of the head bears a few small setae, there being apparently four such submedian setæ, one pair near the anterior third, the other near the posterior fourth. There are twelve body segments, the divisions not being well marked. The anterior spiracles terminate in eight slightly thickened, radiating, nearly fused processes on the anterior body segment, and the posterior spiracles are submedian, nearly apposed, the distal portion of the trachea distinctly chitinized. The skin of the body is smooth and a small lateral seta occurs near the middle of each of the anterior two segments. These body seta, if uniformly present, are extremely fine. There is a fringe of about thirty hairs surrounding the posterior extremity and evidently of service in keeping the larva at the surface when breathing. These hairs are rather stout, adhere apically and form combinations which could easily be mistaken for fleshy lobes. a2364. E. P. FELT. Gipsy Moth Conference. On February 22d a conference was held at the office of State Forester F. W. Rane, 6 Beacon St., Boston, at which were present representative entomologists and foresters from the different New England States and New York. Dr. L. O. Howard, Chief of the Bureau of Entomology, and his assistants in the Gipsy Moth work, and Mr. G. E. Clement and Mr. S. W. Dana of the U. S. Forest Service also attended. There were present Mr. E. S. Brigham, Commissioner of Agriculture of Vermont, J. A. Roberts, Commissioner of Agriculture of Maine, Major E. E. Philbrook, in charge of Moth Work in Maine, State Forester Viles of Maine, Prof. W. C. O'Kane, State Entomologist of New Hampshire, Mr. C. H. Hadley, Assistant Entomologist of New Hampshire, Prof. J. H. Foster of the New Hampshire State College, Mr. P. W. Ayers, Secretary of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, of New Hampshire, Prof. A. E. Stene, State Entomologist of Rhode Island, Prof. M. R. Blackburn, New York State College of Forestry, Syracuse, N. Y., Mr. George G. Atwood, State Horticultural Inspector, Albany, N. Y., Mr. W. S. Regan, Assistant Nursery Inspector of Massachusetts, Mr. Allen Chamberlain of Boston, Messrs. Bailey, Cook, Gould, and State Fire Warden A. W. Hutchins of the State Forester's office, Mr. H. A. Reynolds, Sec'y, Massachusetts Forestry Association, Dr. W. M. Wheeler of Bussey Institution, Messrs. Rogers, Worthley, and Burgess of the U. S. Bureau of Entomology. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the gipsy moth work with particular reference to its bearing on the forest problem. As a result of recent experiments and observations it has been determined that the gipsy moth does not feed as readily on some kinds of foliage as on others, and that there is also a variation in the amount of feeding on certain trees which is done by the small and by the large caterpillars. As a result of this work it is now deemed practicable, in certain types of woodland, to eliminate the favored food plants and in this way the remaining trees are not injured and the territory can be cared for with very little expense. This opens a practical method of handling some of the woodland areas in the infested territory and it is desired to consider this matter from all sides and to secure the interest and cooperation both of the entomologists and foresters in the various states concerned. A report was given of the experiments which have been carried on to secure information on different phases of this work and a statement made of the experiments which it is proposed to conduct during the coming season. The U. S. Forest Service is now working in cooperation with the Bureau of Entomology on the sylvicultural aspects of the gipsy moth problems and Mr. G. E. Clement, one of the trained foresters of that Service, has been detailed to look after that part of the cooperative work. The meeting was of much interest to all the officials concerned, and resulted in bringing up for discussion several features of the work which heretofore had not been taken up in a broad way. It was the desire of all to work in harmony and with as close cooperation as possible, so that the greatest amount of work could be accomplished and unnecessary duplication avoided. Those present at the meeting were the guests of Prof. Rane at luncheon at the City Club, and it was the unanimous opinion of those present that the conference was of much value, not only to those who attended, but to all the States represented A. F. BURGESS, OFFICIAL ORGAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGISTS APRIL, 1913 The editors will thankfully receive news items and other matter likely to be of interest to subscribers. Papers will be published, so far as possible, in the order of reception. All extended contributions, at least, should be in the hands of the editor the Arst of the month preceding publication. Contributors are requested to supply electrotypes for the larger illustrations so far as possible. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.-Eds. The coöperation of those presenting papers at the recent meeting has made it possible to include most of the Proceedings in the first two numbers. The early publication of this matter is very desirable and no more costly than distributing the papers through three or even four issues. It can hardly be expected that subsequent numbers will be equally bulky, owing to our limited resources. The passing of another of our older members and an associate of Riley in the earlier years, is recorded in this issue. Though restricted by physical limitations and unable to attend our gatherings, Miss Murtfeldt was known by reputation at least, to most of our members. She was deeply interested in the Association and did her part in contributing valuable papers to the published Proceedings. The past decade has witnessed great changes in our organization. Many of the leaders of a few years ago have been gathered home, while others have been compelled to limit their activities or else have turned to other fields. The young man with a speciality is largely in evidence and our meetings depend for success mostly upon the co-operation of groups of specialists rather than upon discussions by general economic entomologists. The birth of an association for the advancement of Forest Entomology brings to attention another phase of economic entomology. It will be recalled that provision was made by the American Association of Economic Entomologists at the Cleveland meeting for an apiary and inspectors section, each to be presided over by a vice-president named by the section. There must be coöperation among students along special lines if rapid and substantial progress is made. The method is not so important as the attainment of the ideal. No one should object to a sincere effort toward efficiency, and we take this opportunity of extending good wishes to the child. At the same time we would call attention to the parent organization and express the hope that its influence for good in general entomology and even along special lines may not be hampered by the undue multiplication of associations having closely circumscribed activities. Obituary MARY ESTHER MURTFELDT MARY ESTHER MURTFELDT was the eldest daughter of the late E. W. Murtfeldt and Esther Murtfeldt. She was born in New York and there as a child she suffered the serious illness which left a slight paralysis so that in all her after life she was restricted in her walking, otherwise she was robust and her physical infirmity seemed only to intensify her mental powers. With her family she moved to Rockford, Ill., where she obtained such education at Rockford College as books could give. In 1869, the family settled in St. Louis and in 1871 removed to Kirkwood, Mo., a suburb about thirty miles west of St. Louis which offered special facilities for her father's business as an agricultural writer and publisher. Coming into contact with Dr. C. V. Riley furnished a new inspiration to Miss Murtfeldt's entomological studies and placed at her disposal an entomological library of considerable size. Only those of us who prosecuted entomological studies at that time know how much we were all hampered by lack of entomological literature. Of the students who were active at or near St. Louis at this time, Prof. C. V. Riley, Otto Lugger, Miss Murtfeldt, Mr. Theo Pergande, Mr. Schuster and Mr. Monell, all acquired as years went on a certain amount of entomological eminence and this was largely due to the accessibility of Professor Riley's library and collections. Miss Murtfeldt died February 23, 1913, at the age of about 65 years, heart disease ending her career after a short illness. Many honors crowned her successful studies. She was elected a fellow of the American Association for the advancement of science, an honorary member of the St. Louis Academy of Science and a member of the Wednesday Club of St. Louis. Cornell considered itself fortunate in owning one of Miss Murtfeldt's collections of moths and offered her a degree for meritorious work in natural science. At the time of her decease she was associate editor of Farm Progress, a biweekly journal issued by the St. Louis Republic, the principle Democratic daily of St. Louis. She also published under the auspices of the State Horticultural Society an introduction to elementary entomology, intended as an introduction to the more formal treatises of Packard and Comstock Her first publication was in the Rural New Yorker 1873 entitled "Women and Science" followed shortly by a paper on the value of natural science for the Education of Women in 1874 before the Women's |