and the quality of silk is finer. In their fourth year of reproduction, the cocoons of Japanese origin returned one kilogram of silk for every twelve kilograms of cocoons. This is cited as a return equal to the most advantageous the French species can realize. It is asserted by the commission that in all their experiments during the season of 1868, only the eggs directly imported from Japan yielded satisfactory and complete results. Three boxes, containing from sixty to seventy grams of eggs, produced 110 kilograms 500 grams of perfect cocoons, there being .among them not more than from ten to twelve per cent. of double ones; while other importations of this species, this year especially, gave twenty to forty per cent. of double ones. This is one of the greatest inconveniences of the species. But the good results in the case of the three boxes was due to the care and precautions taken at the moment of climbing, in preventing the moths from clustering at the foot of the brush. Finally, as the result of their investigations for the season of 1868, the commission set out the following

Conclusions.-1. The yield in France has been this year (1868) rather above than below that of last year; perhaps one-fourth of an average crop.

2. The greatest part by far of the French production has been realized from cocoons of Japanese origin.

3. The regeneration of the French species, though showing marks of improvement in some districts, is yet very far from being complete and general.

4. The silk cultivation in France is not as yet out of danger from disaster, as many have prematurely proclaimed.

5. Science must still continue its researches for the purpose of conquering the new phase of the disease of silk-worms, which having suffered for twenty years from pébrine are now decimated by flacherie (blight).

6. It is untimely and even dangerous to proclaim the discovery of an infallible remedy against the scourge, since such an imprudent allegation may stop to a certain extent the importation of good eggs from Japan.

7. French silk-growers would act wisely in taking the necessary measures to procure Japanese eggs of the very best quality, and, above all, not to allow themselves to be forestalled as they were last year by the Italians, Spaniards, and Syrians.

8. Breeders are strongly entreated to repeat the experiments mentioned in this report as having obtained good results, and to make the success of their observations known to the commission, with the hope that among so many methods, there may be found some 'one which may be safely recommended as efficacious.

9. Finally, the attention of all silk-growers is called to the following recommendations:

First. Endeavor to effect early hatchings.

Second. Do not heat the cocooneries, except in cases of urgent necessity.

Third. Do not close up the crevices.

Fourth. Give to the worms the freest possible ventilation.

Fifth. Never forget to remove with the greatest care worms of doubtful health.

By following these precepts, breeders will have done all in their power to obtain success, and if the result does not respond to their efforts, then, as long as the influence of disease is unabated, they must be prepared, in spite of all the care bestowed, for great uncertainty in the crops.

PRACTICAL ENTOMOLOGY FOR FARMERS' SONS.

HOW TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE INSECTS.

If agricultural losses from insect depredations exceed in amount the total value of the cotton crop, or equal half the average value of the corn crop, as some entomologists affirm, it is time that young farmers should learn the names, study the anatomy, and investigate the habits, of these prolific pests of the farm, and thus acquire the means of limiting their reproduction, of accomplishing their destruction, or of "flanking their movements as to the time and manner of their attacks. Much may be done in these directions, and more can be learned, as observers and experimenters in practical entomology increase in numbers and advance in the practical application of this branch of natural science. How shall the boys of the farm commence such a work? First in order, the elementary principles of entomology should be studied; then the practical labor of making a working collection should be undertaken, from which incidental and valuable advantages would accrue, even if the threshold only of the science should be passed.

Many a farmer's boy might make a valuable collection of insects with half the disadvantages under which city collectors labor, if he would only manifest sufficient interest to make a beginning, if ever so small. One of our leading entomologists first became interested while working at his tailor bench, by catching wasps of different gaudy colors, and pinning them up around the walls of his shop; and others have become famous with no greater beginning. Probably the idea of entomology, or of a collection, has suggested itself to but few of the boys of the farm; as one recently wrote, when about to commence the study of entomology, "I never supposed a country boy could collect insects; only those who have time for study and travel." It is a great mistake. A country boy has every facility; he is where he can study to the greatest advantage the insect foes with which he has to contend, where he can watch them in all their changes and transformations, and where he can not only aid materially the agriculturist, but serve the cause of

science.

If farmers in this country knew more of entomology, or were better acquainted with "bugs," as many term them, such knowledge would be the means of saving thousands of dollars to productive industry and to themselves. One can hardly realize the extent of injuries tone by these little depredators; but the following estimate from the American Ento mologist of September, 1868, representing more than the total value of the cotton crop, is a startling indication of the importance of the subject: "On the whole, we are certainly speaking within bounds when We assert that, taking one year with another, this country suffers from the depredations of noxious insects to the annual amount of three hundred millions of dollars."

Regarding the writings of Dr. Fitch on the noxious insects of New York, it further states, as the opinion of prominent and enlightened agriculturists, that they had saved that single State fifty thousand dollars annually. If such results are reached through the efforts of one

man, what may not be accomplished with many workers in the field? As all insects are not injurious, and as many are beneficial, it is of practical value to the agriculturist to be able to discriminate between friends and foes; and this knowledge is learned only by observing the habits of the insects themselves.

A treatise on entomology is not here proposed, but simply a few practical hints on the collection and preparation of insects, hoping they may awaken an interest that will lead to progressive study of this interesting science.

Insects, as well as worms and crustaceans, (lobsters, crabs, &c.,) belong to that division of the animal kingdom known as Articulata, that is, composed of rings or segments. Insects may be distinguished by having the body divided into three distinct sections: head, thorax, and abdomen; and by having two antenne or feelers, four wings, and three pairs of legs. In flies the second pair of wings are wanting, and some few insects have none at all. This class is most commonly divided into seven groups, called orders; and these again are separated into families, tribes, genera, and species. An insect, after it is hatched from the egg, is called the larva, which when full grown casts its skin, the outer integument hardens, and it becomes a pupa, in which stage it remains till it has completed its transformation, when it comes forth a perfect insect or imago.

The transformation is called complete when the changes to pupa and imago are signally marked, as shown in the accompanying figures. Bees, butterflies, &c., are examples. In grasshoppers, &c., the transformation is partial, as the insect at no period of its existence becomes inactive or ceases to take food, but grows by repeatedly casting its skin, finally appearing in the perfect state. Among insects the females differ from the males, being larger and not so brightly colored; they are often differently marked or ornamented, and generally have one less abdominal ring. The signs used to distinguish them are ♂ male and female.

Fig. 1.

COLEOPTERA.

Beetles are distinguished by their hard bodies, stout jaws, and thick wingcovers or elytra, which in meeting form a straight line down the back, and serve to protect the second pair, which are membranous. The larvæ, called grubs, generally have six true legs, and often a terminal pro-leg. In the pup the legs and wings are free or unconfined. Transformations are complete.

The collector in this order should be provided with a net for sweeping grass and herbage, or for beating bushes; a collecting box and several vials of alcohol, in which to kill and preserve captures. The net is made in the same manner as the gauze net for butterflies, substituting cotton cloth for muslin. The common net may be used for this purpose, though it is more easily torn or otherwise damaged. A water net is particularly useful in collecting aquatic coleoptera. It is made of grass cloth or some coarse material, fastened to a ring a foot or more in diameter. Any box two inches deep, that can be carried in the pocket, will do for a collecting box, though for general collecting it is well to have such a one as Fig. 3, which any carpenter can make

Fig. 2.

for a trifle. A convenient size is nine inches long, by seven wide, and two inches deep at the sides; the bottom to be made rounding, to fit the small of the back. On one end is placed a cushion for pins, and on the outside of the cover a pocket for slips of paper, &c. It should be made as light as possible, and can be carried either suspended from the shoulder, shot pouch fashion, or fastened to a belt. around the waist. Delicately colored beetles, the goldsmith beetle, for example, which is of a beautiful metallic yellow, should be left in alcohol only long enough to kill, and should then be pinned and placed in the collecting box. Sometimes, if not quite dead, a little benzine brushed on the sides of the body is necessary to quiet them.

Fig. 3.

In setting beetles the pin is inserted into the right elytron, or wingcase, so as to come out beneath, mid-way between the second and third pair of legs, otherwise the insect is liable to be damaged. It is always best to place the legs and antennæ in a natural position, so that all the joints can easily be seen. When it is desirable to show the under wings, the regular setting board may be used. Beetles that are too small to pin, flea beetles, &c., should be mounted on triangular slips, through which the pin can be thrust. They are made of bristol board, cut first into strips a quarter of an inch in width, and then transversely, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. To these, insects are fastened either by common mucilage, or a mixture of inspissated ox gall, gum arabic and water; it should be thick enough to hold the specimen in the position in which it is placed. When there are duplicates of any species, it is well to set one or two in position to show the under side of the body.

Fig. 4.

Beetles are to be met with everywhere. The tiger beetles, Cicindelide, inhabiting hot, sandy plains, or sunny paths, are most easily taken by allowing them to alight, and then suddenly throwing the net over them. Ground beetles, Carabida, are found in damp places, under sticks, stones, drift, and bark of trees; a few are found upon the leaves of trees and plants. Other families are aquatic, such as the whirligigs and divers, Dytiscida, Gyranidæ, and Hydrophilidæ, and should be taken by means of the water net. By dredging the bottom of ponds and examining the plants, &c., brought up, many small species can be obtained. The Silphide (burying or sexton beetles, scavengers, &c.) are found with dead animals, and sometimes on flowers. Many of the rove beetles, Staphylinida, are found in decaying animal and vegetable substances; while some of the smaller species live under bark and in ants' nests. The Lamellicornes, which are distinguished by their clubbed antennæ, [Fig. 5,] are mostly vegetable feeders, and are therefore injurious. They may be collected in summer on plants, flowers, shrubbery, &c. Copris and allies are found with excrement. The wood-boring Buprestide may be seen on warm summer days sunning themselves on trunks of trees Fig. 5. or on dry logs. Their allies, Elaterida, (springing or snapping beetles,) live under bark or in rotten wood. The long slender wire-worms which do so much injury in gardens produce elaters. Lightning bugs, Lampyrida, in the day-time are found upon flowers. Clerida, bright, nimble insects resembling ants, inhabit bumble-bees' nests. Granaries are infested with a beetle belonging to the Tenebrionidæ, a family resembling ground beetles, and like them found under stones, logs, bark of trees, &c.;

some live in toad-stools. Blister flies are soft-bodied insects, found on potato tops, flowers of golden rod, &c. The Curculionida, snout beetles, or weevils, infest grain, seeds, or fruits, and many species live in wood, under bark, or in plants and flowers. The Longicornes, in the larval state, are wood borers. These beetles, which are among the largest of the order, can be collected in great numbers in spring, around saw-mills, lumber yards, wood-piles, and in forests; many species frequent flowers in summer. Flea beetles, Chrysomelida, live in all their stages upon the leaves of plants. The Coccinellida, (lady-birds,) which are nearly all beneficial, are useful in destroying plant lice.

ORTHOPTERA.

Cockroaches, crickets, grasshoppers, &c., are provided with jaws; the upper wings are thick and opaque, while the large under ones are netveined, and fold like a fan. The transformations are partial, the larvæ and pupæ resembling the perfect insect, but wanting wings.

Orthoptera when collected can be thrown into alcohol, and there allowed to remain until it is convenient to set them, though a better way is to kill them with benzine or ether, and place immediately in the collecting box. To save trouble of pinning in the field, grasshoppers may be put in a little box, each insect wrapped in a piece of soft paper two or three inches square, to prevent injury, first treating it to a generous dose of benzine, which for convenience should be carried in a small vial having a bruslí fastened inside to the cork. Grasshoppers very soon lose their color when placed in alcohol; the delicate under wings, which in many species are bright colored, become brown and soiled. If treated with benzine, and immediately pinned and placed in the collecting box, they are also liable to injury by "coming to life and kicking their legs off," as collectors are accustomed to say. "They should be pinned through a little triangular spot between the bases of the fore wings. They are also often pinned through the prothorax, or through the right elytron, as in coleoptera." It is well to set several individuals of a species with the wings spread as in flight; some collectors prefer the wings set only on one side, leaving the other side to show the insect at rest.

The insects belonging to this order are nearly all injurious to vegetation. Cockroaches feed upon a variety of substances in houses, &c., and the Mantes or "rear-horses" prey upon other insects. Earwigs, Forficulida, are nocturnal insects, found hiding by day in the leaves of flowers; they may be taken with the net just before sunset, when they are most active. Many cockroaches, Blattarida, are found under stones, sticks, bark of decaying trees, and in damp situations. The field species are smaller than those commonly found in houses. The walking sticks, Phasmida, live upon the tender leaves and shoots of shrubbery and trees, and very much resemble dry twigs. Crickets, Gryllides, are found during the greater part of the year under logs, stones, and in sheltered places, such as old stone walls. The mole cricket, Gryllotalpa, burrows in subterranean galleries which it forms in meadows and swamp lands. Katydids represent a family of broad-winged grasshoppers, the Locustaria, nearly all of which are green in color. They are found on the leaves of trees and shrubbery early in autumn, and may be collected by beating. Grasshoppers, Acrydii, are common everywhere during the summer months and until late in the fall. They are found most numerous in meadows and fields, on heaths and barren rocky hills, and a few are found upon bare sandy places, near streams. As many are swift of flight, the net should be used in their capture.