New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-06

plot and flashing a dark lantern from time u
time upon the flowers. at the same time exam
ming them with a small glass he would gain
no clew. This is the laboratory Of Dr South
wick. the entomoogist Of the Department Of
Parks In this garden, which he plants and
tends himself. he learns what insects are to be
found in the parks and what they feed. Here
he experiments with poisons and various in
secucides to learn what Will destroy the insects
without injury to the plant tissues. In this
compact little garden four hundred species
and varieties Of plants. representing a wide
range # plant famiila
Its object is 10 attract Insects" said Dr.
SouthwiCk who has been entouoIogist Of the
rark for more than a score of years. In this
garden can find out what insects are in the
park and where they come from. There are
many insects in the park which would not other
wise De discovered. They appear as soon as con-
ditions are favorable AL insects have likes and
dislikes. and are able t. make a proper selec-
tisu OF the plant best suited for their use Many
insects live on the plants Of one family. The
potato bug, for instance. lives only on plants Of
ne potato family such as the nightshade.
ground cherry. tobacco. datura and Iycium."
Or. Southwick led the way along a narrow path
u a leathery leafed plant. which ne said was
heubane. This" sail be. is the only species
of the potato family l have this year. Look
here Il separated the leaves and revealed the
striped backs of a number Of potato bugs. the
5aEe of the farmer. And here he continued.
pulling back a leaf, there are the soft bodies
Of the young. Here are the yellow eggs OF the
bug" turning over another leaf until its back
could be seen. These bugs picked out the only
member If the potato family in the garden
Most insects confne themselves to the plants
Of one family The asteris butterfly. for instance.
lives upon the members of the umbeIliferae; "a
eight spotted forester feeds upon all varieties
Of the japanese and American ampelopsis and
the grape.
Here is a story which will illustrate how thu
asteris viii seek out the plant which it requires
for food. one afternoon as I walking
through the park I found old asteris but
terfy. Evidently she had deposited nearly all
her eggs, and her race was nearly ended. Hey
wings were so badly tern that she could hardly
beat the air sufficiently TO fly. She seemed 70
have just enough strength left to hunt for the
precious food plant which to deposit the last
Of her eggs. For more than an hour 1 watched
her. She struggled and on. Obeying the in
stinct TO secure for her young their proper food
when they were ushered into the world. At last
she succeeded in finding bit Of wild carrot and
this she settled, and her life ebbng away
deposited the eggs. Having fulfilled all her
peCtations, this anxious mother sank upon a
plant. worn and exhausted. probably never 10
rise again. 1 have observed the same persist
snce in plants. I have cut down plants toward
the end of the season. and just before the fruit
ing time. and have observed later that tender
shoots had been thrown up from the roots with
tiny blossoms them Unable TO bear fruit
normally, it persisted in doing its duty.
Some insects do not confne their food 20
plants OF one order, but seem TO be omnivorous
The cabbage butterfly is very partial to the
turtiun, well the plants of the cruciferOuI