ENTOMOLOGY. 127 



},ln order to ascertain the early existence of the 

 haltica nemorum, in a perfect state, I have sown 

 turnips, in very small patches, the first week in 

 April, when I was well assured there were no 

 others sown in the parish. I found the plants 

 just as keenly beset by these flies as at a later 

 period of the year ; and I apprehend this circum- 

 stance proves, that this beetle has other food in 

 store, when turnips are not to be found ; and also 

 that a good or bad turnip year may, in some de- 

 gree, depend upon the abundance or scarcity of 

 these other resom-ces, as well as on the weather 

 being suitable for a rapid or slow developement 

 of the leaves of the turnip. 



On a future occassion, I hope to lay before the 

 society some facts concerning tliis insect, which 

 I have not seen noticed in any of our books ; at 

 present I must confine myself to the attempt to 

 describe the habits and character of the tenthredo, 

 the larvae of which are frequently found in almost 

 overwhelming numbers upon the leaves of the 

 gooseberry bush.* 



f« I apprehend it may be proved, that many families of insects, 

 as well as birds, avail themselves of high winds in their migration 

 and distribution. Farmers and gardeners are well persuaded, that 

 the prevalence of strong easterly gales, in the spring, greatly 

 increases the numbers of destructive flies. That these nipping 

 winds are very injurious to the health of trees and plants, is clear; 



