15 



far as it is affected, is about to be destroyed, and all the 

 infected soil is to be removed. The importance of giving 

 publicity to the matter consists in the forearming which 

 arises from forewarning. It is quite possible that if the 

 approach of the marauder was recognised early its ravages 

 might be stayed. What is suggested is a very careful 

 examination wherever established Ferns show signs of 

 failure or lack of vigour. So far as the habits of the 

 weevil have been observed, it appears to attack chiefly the 

 Polystichums and Scolopcvdvinms ; the Athyvinms and the, 

 Lastveas seem likely to escape, and no inroad has been 

 made upon the Polypodiums. I have ascertained that the 

 name of the insect is Syagvius ivtfudens, 



H. KiNGSMILL MoORE. 



With reference to above, we have with the kind aid of 

 Mr. F. J. Chittenden, of the Royal Horticultural Society's 

 Gardens at Wisley, ascertained that the insect in question 

 is a Weevil of Australian origin, which has found admission 

 to this country doubtless with imported plants, and has 

 proved terribly destructive to Ferns in the Glasneven 

 Gardens at Dublin. The insect is very fully described in 

 a paper by J. Mangan, B.A., etc., in the *' Journal of 

 Economic Biology," Vol. III. (1908), pp. 84-90, with 

 several plates, but according to his notes its attacks had 

 so far been exclusively confined to hot-house Ferns. 

 This, however, judging by the material sent us by the 

 Rev. H. Kingsmill Moore, would appear to be no longer 

 the case, since such material consisted of stout caudices 

 of Polystichnm angnJave, and his note refers to other species 

 which would certainly not receive hot-house treatment.* 

 About a dozen specimens of the living beetle were sent to 

 us for inspection. Both these and the material were at 

 once immersed in boiling water to prevent risk of escape. 



* The Rev. H. K, Moore confirms this having visited the collec- 

 tion, which was grown entirely in the open. 



