JO^ 



The Journal of Forestiy. 



introduced sorts, and siicli others as rare old cedars, &c., of wliioli we 

 hope to see a report in your pages in due course from time to 

 time. 



It will be observed that the majority of those I have reported upon 

 are, strictly speaking, of " modern " planting. The report also shows 

 that many of the species introduced from foreign countries thrive 

 exceedingly well in our very changeable English climate. 



The Australian Bug. 



Q'he report of the Australian Bug Commission presented to the Cape 

 Parliament shows that this destructive iusect has now settled not only in 

 Cape Town, but in Simon's Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington, Nama- 

 fjual and, George, Uiteuhage, and East London. Its distribution appears 

 to have been effected by the agency of liviug plants or fresh fruits, sup- 

 posed to have been brought from Australia to Cape Town, where it first 

 made its appearance in this colon}', and, iu evidence of the irregularity of 

 its dispersal, it is mentioned that, aUhough it was oliserved in the village 

 of O'okiep, Namaqualand, a few months after its first discovery in the 

 Cape Town Botanical Gardens in 1873, it was not seen in the neighbour- 

 ing division of Stellenbosch till the latter end of 1876. Several birds 

 and insects have been suggested as destroyers of the Dortlicsia, viz , black 

 and red ants, bluebottles, the white-eye (Zosfcrops Cajjensis), the larv&e of 

 ladybirds and lacewing fly, English sparrows, Cape sparrows, domestic 

 fowls, and turkeys. Of these supposed enemies no satisfactory evidence 

 has been given except in the cases of the ladybird and the larvai of the 

 Incewing fly. The other insects rather protect the bug for the sake of a 

 sweet fluid which it yields. Of the birds, Zosterops is the ouly one likely 

 to be of service, but hitherto it has shown no particular liking for the 

 abundant and conspicuous Borthesfa. Sheep-wash is recommended as a 

 good specific, and also a mixture of soap and tm'pentine. In order to 

 enforce the eradication of the pest it is recommended by the majority of the 

 Commission that a bill should be introduced into Parliament compelling, 

 under penalty, every owner or occui)ier of lands who finds the Dorihosia 

 on his grounds to report the same at once to the Divisional Council, field- 

 cornet, or other public body of persons appointed by Government in that 

 behalf, who shall thereupon cause the infested place to be inspected, and 

 instruct the owner or occupier to cut down and destroy the whole, or such 

 part as may be deemed necessary, of the trees or shrubs infested ; and, iu 

 case of refusal, cause the same to be cut down at the cost of the owner or 

 occupier. Dr. Atherstone suggests a pi'einintn of a penny a hundred fov 

 mature specimens. 



