DUBLIM NATUBAX HlflTORT 80CIBTT. l$3 



tioning that I found the Anatifa sulcata and Vitrea ritrina attached to many 

 specimenH both of Jantbina communis and pallida. A few of these cirrhipedes 

 were fixed almost on the apex of the shell, but by far the greater number wore 

 attached immediately below the umbilicus. Through the kindness of my friend 

 Dr. Farran, I have great pleasure in laying before you a series of another spe- 

 cies, J anthina exigua, which is of very rare occurrence on our coasts. Tbes« 

 samples were procured by him, many years ago, after west winds, at Gurteen, 

 near Roundstone, county of Oalway. In conclusion, I must apologize for baring 

 occupied so much of your erening, but I really could not compress a subject of 

 so much interest in a shorter space. 



nrsBCTA. 



DECEMBER 8, 1854. 



ON THE COLEOPTBRA INFESTING GRANARIES. BT JAHE8 HAUGHTON, JUH. 



Having, for some time past, had frequent opportunities of observing the ha- 

 bits, &c., of many of the coleoptera which infest the granaries in this city, I beg 

 to bring before vou a few observations which I have recorded about them, in the 

 belief that any facts concerning even the most insignificant insect cannot fail 

 to be of some interest to those to whom their habits are not generally known. 

 In the summer season many of our corn stores are visited, in vast numbers, by 

 the weevil tribe, which commences depredations on a scale which, I think, classes 

 them amongst the most destructive of all insects. To give an idea of the mis- 

 chief they are capable of committing, I may mention that, previous to the repeal 

 of the corn laws, when the duty upon grain was very high, wheat, which had re- 

 mained in bond for a length of time, -frequently became so infested with them 

 that it might actually be seen shifting its place on the lofts from the movements 

 of the living mass contained in the heap, and, in some instances, the portion left, 

 not being worth the duty, had to be thrown out ; also, an instance of a loft of 

 wheat, containing 1000 barrels, having, in a few months, become deficient up- 

 wards of fifty barrels, in addition to a depreciation in the value of the remain- 

 der of about ten per cent. — almost all of which loss was caused by the common 

 com weevil (Calandra granaria). From the foregoing statements it is obvious 

 that it is of great importance to find out some way by which these mischievous 

 insects can be destroyed without injurv to the grain. The wheat to which I 

 have last alluded was Egyptian, which, from its excessive dryness, is peculiarly 

 suited to the multiplication of the species. A curious fact connected with them 

 is, their propensity for gathering into masses in one place. The amount of heat 

 they generate when thus collected is quite surprising, and is even more observ- 

 able when the wheat in which thev are stored is in sacks, instead of being thrown 

 loosely on a loft. On applying the ear to the outside of a sack in which there 

 are manv weevils, one can quite distinctly hear the buzzing and crackling noise 

 caused by the incessant boring going on inside. When the grain is stored in 

 bulk on a loft, and removed from its contact with the walls, the weevils creep out 

 in immense numbers, and are then easily swept up and destroyed. I mysolt have 

 seen manv malt shovelsful taken away in a single day. 1 have brought with me 

 some of the weevils, of which it will be easily perceived there are several kinds, 

 and also some wheat bored by them, which will g^ve a good idea of the ravages 

 thev commit, as, in many instances, nothing is left of the grain but the outside 

 shell or bran. Most workmen about corn stores assert that they bite wickedly ; 

 but, although I have constantly been on lofts on which they abounded, I can say 

 that, as regards myself, I have never been bitten. They are very susceptible of 

 cold, and on the approach of winter, if the day be chilly, 1 have seen them fall- 

 ing in great numbers off the walls, &c., on which they may have crept. If it were 



