1857.] 



^Egcria Exitiosa. 



305 



space to sketch the arguments, but deliberately characterize it as a 

 book of prodigious power, of very striking and perplexing facts, 

 and strong logic." 



iEaERIA EXITIOSA, 



OR PEACH-TREE WORM. 



Fig. 1 Female in the winged state. 

 "" 2 Male, '•' " " " 



Pig. 3 Follicle of the Pupa state, 

 " 4 Exuvia or case of the Pupa. 



Among the causes of the premature decay of the Peach-tree, the 

 depredations of this insect, is the principal one. 



In the LARVA or gruh-form, the body of this worm is of a whitish 

 color, and its head reddish brown. Its length, at maturity, is about 

 three-fourths of an inch. 



It commences its destructive career soon after it has hatched from 

 the egg, and enters the tree, probably through the tender bark, 

 under the surface of the soil. From thence, it first works down- 

 wards in the root, until the early part of the ensuing summer, when 

 it directs its course upward, toward the body of the tree, by exca- 

 vating a channel, as it progresses, between the bark and wood. 



Having attained its full size in the Larva or Gruh-ioTm, it next 

 passes into the Piipa state, between the first and the middle of July. 

 At the same time, it may be discovered, close to the trunk of the 

 20 



