August, 1841. J G7 



larvae in the straw, generally above the last joint. They were 

 feeding in or near the joint, with their heads always downwards. 

 The wheat, which had to this time (June 20th) promised an 

 abundant harvest, began to shrivel ; and a practised eye could 

 detect, from the appearance of the grain, in which stalk we were 

 to look for the larvae. 



From June 20th to July 10th, the flies continued to deposit their 

 eggs on the grain ; though on the last mentioned date but few were 



DO O ' O 



to be met with. By July 12th, the grain in this neighbourhood 

 was all reaped ; and on that day I had a sheaf of wheat placed in 

 the library, where I could with more accuracy watch the progress 

 of the larvae remaining in the straw. They continued to feed for 

 some days; when they became quiescent, fixed, themselves by 

 their mandibles in the joint of the straw, and with their heads 

 downwards, gradually assumed a chesnut brown colour ; the outer 

 skin becoming the puparium. 



From a handful of infested straws placed under a bell glass, I 

 have the following results. Most have perished ; some have 

 passed into the pupa state in the centre of the culm ; a few of the 

 perfect insects I have liberated from the centre of the straw, by 

 opening a passage for them with my penknife ; and great numbers 

 have been destroyed by the Geraphion destructor ; two of which 

 I send with the Cecidomyia. 



From the sheaf of wheat I have the following results. Many of 

 the larvae perished ; some became pupa? without change of situa- 

 tion ; and the flies continued to rise from the straw until the 31st 

 of July. Of these I succeeded in catching twenty-six. Five are 

 Cecidomyias, and the remainder are Geraphion destructor; some 

 of which are destitute of wings. A small number of pupae are 

 still to be found in the field in the stubble. 



From this series of facts it might be presumed that the history of 

 this interesting and destructive insect was decided; but the state- 

 ments of observers whose information and accuracy cannot be ques- 

 tioned, prove discrepancies in its history that can only be reconciled 

 by supposing that there are two species under observation. The 

 species now presented will agree with Mr. Say's statement, that 



