88 NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS. 



almost every seed-pea also, we find a perfect Beetle, 

 or at least an aperture from which it has already 

 crawled out. 



Now as this is a fact, of the truth of which every 

 one can convince himself, it is safe to assert that 

 in eating green peas we at the same time eat almost 

 the same number of maggots. If therefore we are 

 disposed to be disgusted with the Palm-worm eaters 

 Ave would do well to remember that we practise 

 the same thing in the case of the Pea-weevil. 



In some parts of Europe they put their seed- 

 peas into hot water, before planting, for the purpose 

 of killing these Beetles, and several of our scientific 

 American Horticulturists, according to Dr. Harris, 

 advise to keep seed-peas in air-tight vessels over 

 one year, before planting them, or at least not to 

 plant them before the end of May. 



The cultivation of peas is an extensive branch 

 of agriculture in the Old Country, because dry peas, 

 well prepared, are the usual favourite dish of the 

 farming and operative classes throughout the year. 

 Hence in Prance, Germany, Moravia, and Hungary, 

 they sow peas in gardens, and cultivate them in 

 extensive fields. 



Leaf-eaters (Chrysomelhue) are another species 

 of noxious Beetles, who feed mostly on leaves or 

 flowers. They are quite small, from three to five- 



