426 
THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
A genus of Moths, generally called “ Clear- 
wings,” in reference to the absence of scales from the 
greater part of the surface of the wings, which are, con- 
sequently, nearly transparent. This, together with the 
length and narrowness of the wings, and the form and 
colouring of the bodies, gives the Moths a striking re- 
~ 
Fig. 480. SESIA APIFORMIS. 
semblance to insects of the widely-different groups of 
Bees, Wasps, and two-winged Flies. S. apiformis, one of 
the largest British species, is very like a hornet in general 
appearance (see Fig. 480), and is known as the Hornet 
Fic. 481. SESIA VESPIFORMIS, 
Clearwing. Others, e.g., S. vespiformis (see Fig. 481) 
S. formiceformis, are much like some of the smaller 
tera; while others, e.g., the Currant Clearwing 
(S. tipuliformis) closely resemble slender, two-winged 
Flies. These resemblances probably afford protection 
_ from enemies. The larve live in the branches, stems, 
or roots of various plants, boring into the wood or 
~ pith. They become pups in their tunnels. The more 
hurtful species are the following: Red-belted Clearwing 
(8. myopeformis)—the larve feed, often in large numbers, 
in the wood of Pear-trees; the moth is black, with a 
bright red belt round the middle of the abdomen. 
Fie. 482. LARVA OF SESIA TIPULIFORMIS. 
Currant Clearwing (S. tipuliformis) — the larve (see 
Fig. 482) are common in twigs of Currants; the moth 
is black, with two narrow, yellow lines on the back of 
Sesia—continued. 
the thorax, and three narrow, yellow belts round the 
body, and the wings are yellowish near the tip, with 
black veins. Red-tipped Clearwing (S. formiceformis)— 
the larve feed in Willow and Osier twigs; the moth is 
black, with a deep red belt round the abdomen, and a 
broad, red tip to each fore wing. Hornet Clearwing 
(S. apiformis)—the larve live in wood of Poplars, each 
feeding for two years; the moth is much like a hornet 
in size and colour, being marked with brown, orange, 
and yellow. Willow Hornet Clearwing (S. bembeciformis) 
—the larve live in twigs of Willows and Osiers; the 
moth is much like the last-named, but the head is brown, 
not yellow, and there are no yellow spots on the thorax. 
Remedies are very difficult of application, because of 
the concealed mode of life of the larvw. Of course, the 
moths ought to be captured, when they can ‘be found, 
and this is most likely to be accomplished in the early 
morning, soon after they crawl out of the pupa cases, 
and while they are resting on the tree or twig. No 
remedial measures can be taken while the larve are in 
the wood; and when holes are visible the moths have 
escaped. Badly-infested trees should be cut down and 
burned, to destroy. the larve. If twigs of Currants, 
Osiers, or other plants liable to attack, suddenly begin 
to droop, they should be cut off, and the larve therein 
destroyed. 
SESLERIA (named in honour of Leonard Sesler, an 
Italian physician and botanist). ORD. Gramineew. A 
_genus comprising eight species of hardy, perennial, tufted 
grasses, natives of Europe and Western Asia. Spike- 
lets two to six-flowered; panicle spike-formed, often 
short and bluish, or slightly silvery, sometimes elon- 
gated. Leaves flat or convolute-terete. The genus, 
which has no horticultural interest, is represented in 
the British Flora by S. cwrulea, a plant growing from 
6in. to 18in. high. 
SESQUI. A prefix which, used in Latin compounds, 
signifies one and a-half; e.g., Sesquipedalis, 1}ft. 
SESSILE. Sitting close on the supporting body, 
without any stalk. 
SESUVIUM (signification of name unknown, probably 
arbitrary). ORD. Ficoideew. A small genus (about four 
species) of stove or greenhouse, erect or prostrate, 
branched, succulent herbs or sub-shrubs, scattered over 
tropical sea-shores. Flowers often flesh-coloured or purple, 
axillary, sessile or pedunculate, solitary, clustered, or 
rarely sub-cymose; calyx tube turbinate, the five lobes 
coloured within; petals absent; stamens five. Leaves 
opposite, slightly fleshy, linear or oblong; stipules none, 
or sometimes connate with the petiole in a stipuleform 
membrane. S. Portulacastrwum and 8. repens are both 
edible as potherbs, but have a rather salt taste. Two 
species, both greenhouse, decumbent perennials, call for 
description here. These thrive in any well-drained, sandy 
soil. Propagated freely by slightly dried cuttings, in- 
serted in similar soil, under a glass. Water must be 
sparingly administered. 
S. Portulacastrum (Portulaca: $ -S i 
or Seaside Purslane Gi the Wak iaiia A. 5 patios caine 
green outside, reddish within; stamens twenty-five to ‘thirty. 
June and July. l linear or lanceolate - oblong, flat. 16 
(A. B. R. 201, under name of Ai i iety 
Suis Sarin nee izoon canariense.) The variety 
S. revolutifolinm (revolute-leaved . red and whi ile ; 
stamens very numerous ; stigmas ike Š six. July org eA 
l. ovate-oblong, with revolute margins, rather graues not deep 
ra Cuba. (B. M. 1701, under name of $. Portulacastrum 
SETA. A bristle or bristle-shaped body; a slender 
straight prickle; a stiff hair. i 
_ SETARIA (from seta, a bristle; alluding to the 
involucre of bristles surrounding the spikelets). ORD. 
Graminee. A genus comprising about ten species of 
