22 



be able to publish the name of the insect. It is probable however 

 that more than one species of this pest to wild and domesticated 

 animals, exists in Trinidad, some of which attack the human body 

 when exposed. A. specimen of the latter was recently brought to me 

 which was extracted from the knee of a young gentleman who had 

 been traversing the country woodlands. 



4. — A Beetle destructive to Orchids.— Centrinus s^y. 



Tins is a very small dark colored beetle belonging to the Cur- 

 culionidcB which is a large order, having as many as 200 sps. described 

 in it twenty years ago, and it is probable that the members of the 

 family now known have largely increased since that time. The insect 

 in qviestion Avas found upon plants of the well known Biacrium 

 bicornutum so common in the Bocas Islands, Trinidad. It infested the- 

 leaves, and by its attack destroyed the even green colouring and 

 rendered them rusty looking. When badly attacked the leaves died 

 away. The best remedy found was regularly syringing with clear 

 spring water, and hand picking the mature insect. The latter was 

 found none too easy a task, for they are lively little creatures. 



98.— CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



Of the many species of Chrysanthemum known to science the 

 general favourite amongst Eviropean cultivators is Chrysanthemum 

 Sinensis, Sabine, by which appellation the Chinese or Japanese 

 Chrysanthemum is botanically known. The shows of these plants 

 which take place annvially in the Temple Gardens, London, are of world 

 wide reputation, and the cultivation of the plant is popular both Avith 

 amateurs and professionals. These plants are groAvn by home culti- 

 vators in most cases Avithout the aid of glass houses, and in cool and 

 sheltered positions out of doors until late in the autumn when the 

 occurrence of frost renders it necessary to give them protection. It 

 Avould probably appear to those only accustomed to its cultivation in 

 Europe, that the Chrysanthemum as a plant would be very unsuitable 

 for tropical cultivation on account of the great heat it Avould have to 

 encounter. This is the view, I must confess, I entertained for many 

 years ; but having seen plants HoAvering freely in the verandahs 

 attached to dwelling houses in the Town of Port-of-Spain — and from a 

 cultivator's point of view doing remarkably Avell — it Avas determined 

 to procure a set of the best varieties from Europe for trial at 

 the Gardens. Our first year's growth was a decided failure. Our 

 second year we gave the plants more protection and we succeeded 



