172 Descriptions and Figures of two Insects 



late-sown plants of barley ; but the injury from the species is 

 trifling: in 1833, the corn destroyed by their devastations 

 would amount to quarters [of barley] an acre. 



The other species, which seems to be of a kindred genus, 

 and of which I have sent more than one specimen, and a 

 chrysalis, is the cause of the anbury, or fingers and toes, in the 

 turnips. I procured a number from my turnips, August, 

 1833, in the condition of a small white grub with a black 

 head : they came out into some sand placed for their recep- 

 tion, changed into the pupa state, and remained in it all the 

 winter. Some of those hatched the earliest escaped me; 

 those sent are some of the latest. I am not able to send a 

 specimen of the larva, this year, from its being too late ; but 

 the larva is exactly like those in the knobs of cabbages, &c. 



I have little access to the newer or expensive scientific 

 works, and therefore I do not know whether this insect has 

 hitherto been determined. It appears to me to be most 

 assuredly the cause of the grubbed turnips, though not 

 always to be found in the knobs. It would seem that in 

 September it enters into the earth to undergo its changes ; 

 and to find it then is more difficult. 



If my views are correct, the preventive must be some top- 

 dressing, to prevent the insect striking the plant on the sur- 

 face ; or some acrid manure, to destroy the pupae in the soil. 

 As the places infected are usually so, the insect does not 

 travel far; but ii. may be taken to another field if the turnips 

 are stripped off early. 



Northumberland, Sept. 23. 1834. 



The preceding communication, and the insects accompany- 

 ing it, having been submitted to me by the editor, I beg 

 leave to offer the following observations thereupon, and 

 descriptions and figures of the insects which are the causes 

 of the injuries in question, to the readers of this Magazine. 



But one opinion can be entertained of the necessity of a 

 minute acquaintance with the habits and structures of those 

 species of animals which, from their continual attacks upon 

 our animal or vegetable productions, become, in very many 

 instances, the sources of ruin to the agriculturist. 



If, indeed, the investigation of these matters were unattended 

 by any other gratification than that which the perusal of the 

 works of nature, in that best of books opened by Nature her- 

 self, constantly confers upon those who patiently explore her 

 almost, to the many, hidden treasures ; the inducement to such 

 exertions would, to the thoughtful mind, be sufficiently strong ; 



