160 INSECTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



which are supposed to enable the insect to see distant objects 

 above it, while the larger eyes at the sides of the head are for 

 nearer objects around it. Eyelets are also to be found in grass- 

 hoppers, locusts, and many other insects. In some of our species 

 of Coreus there is a little thorn at the base of the antennae, the 

 legs are also thorny on the under-side, and the hindmost thighs 

 are much thicker than the others ; but none of these characters 

 are found in squash-bugs*. When handled, and still more when 

 crushed, the latter give out an odor precisely similar to that of an 

 over-ripe pear, but far too powerful to be agreeable. 



In order to prevent the ravages of these insects, they should be 

 sought and killed when they are about to lay their eggs ; and if 

 any escape our observation at this time, their eggs may be easily 

 found and crushed. With this view the squash-vines must be 

 visited daily, during the early part of their growth, and must be 

 carefully examined for the bugs and their eggs. A very short 

 time spent in this way every day, in the proper season, will save 

 a great deal of vexation and disappointment afterwards. If this 

 precaution be neglected or deferred till the vines have begun to 

 spread, it will be exceedingly difficult to exterminate the insects, 

 on account of their numbers ; and, if at this time dry weather 

 should prevail, the vines will suffer so much from the bugs and 

 drought together, as to produce but little if any fruit. AVhatever 

 contributes to bring forward the plants rapidly, and to promote the 

 vigor and luxuriance of their foliage, renders them less liable to 

 suffer by the exhausting punctures of the young bugs. Water 

 drained from a cow-yard, and similar preparations have, with this 

 intent, been applied with benefit. 



During the summer of 1838, and particularly in the early part 

 of the season, which, it will be recollected, was very dry, our 

 gardens and fields swarmed with immense numbers of little bugs, 

 that attacked almost all kinds of herbaceous plants. My attention 

 was first drawn to them in consequence of the injury sustained by 

 a few dahlias, marigolds, asters, and balsams with which I had 

 stocked a little border around my house. In the garden of my 

 friends the Messrs. Hovey, at Cambridgeport, I observed, about 



* They appear to belong to the sub-genus Syromastcs of Latreille and Laporte. 



