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370 
THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
SAWFLIES (Tenthredinide). A large section of 
Hymenoptera (see Insects), characterised by the females 
possessing an organ adapted to cut through the skin of 
Fig. 422. LARV® OF ROSE-LEAF SAWPLY. 
leaves and of branches, so as to permit of eggs being placed 
in the slits. This organ resembles a minute double saw 
(whence the popular name of the insects), and is toothed 
so as to serve as one, but the details of the toothing vary 
with the species. The larvæ of all feed on plants. Most 
of them greatly resemble the larve of Butterflies and 
Moths, except in having from eighteen to twenty-two 
claspers or prolegs. Nearly all the larvæ feed on leaves, 
exposed on the surfaces or the edges of the latter; but 
some burrow between the surfaces of the leaves (e.g., 
Fenusa Ulmi), and others live protected in the interior 
of fieshy pea-shaped or bean-shaped galls on the leaves 
(e.g., Nematus gallicola), or swellings in the branches, of 
Willows. When full grown, most of them go underground, 
spin cocoons there, and in them become pupæ. Some 
(e.g., Trichiosoma lucorum and Lyda) fix their cocoons 
to branches of the food-plants, or spin up among dead 
leaves or rubbish. The larve of the Rose-leaf Saw- 
fly (see Fig. 422), and of the Gooseberry and Currant 
Sawfly (see Fig. 423), are good types of Sawfly larve. 
Fig. 423. LARVA OF GOOSEBERRY AND CURRANT SAWFLY 
(Nematus Ribesii). 
In like manner, the Gooseberry and Currant Sawfly 
(Nematus Ribesii, see Fig. 424) is a good type of a 
large majority of the mature Sawflies. ` 
Sawflies are mostly sluggish and heavy in their move- 
ments, even on the wing. The head is usually broad ; and 
there is no narrowed foot-stalk between the .thorax and 
the abdomen. The colours are very generally black, 
yellow, or brown on the body and limbs; the wings are 
almost always transparent, and are of the form shown in 
Fig. 424. The largest Sawflies in Britain are about as 
large as a small Humble Bee, but most are of small size. 
Many species are very harmful to cultivated plants; and 
references will be found to the worst under Gooseberry 
and Currant Sawfly, Lophyrus, Lyda, Nematus, 
Pear (Insects), Rose Sawflies, Slugworms, and 
Turnip Sawfly. Among the plants that suffer most are 
Sawflies—continued. 
Coniferw, Currants and Gooseberries, Hawthorns, Roses, 
fruit-trees, Willows, and Turnips; but few plants al- 
together escape injury. Certain species 
of Sawflies, injurious to cultivated produce, 
feed exposed on the plants, and may be 
hand-picked; or, if very numerous, and if 
circumstances permit, they may be destroyed 
by watering the plants with infusions of 
powder of Hellebore, or of Paris Green. 
Social larve, as in the genus Lyda, which 
spin a common web, may be removed and 
destroyed with the web. For further in- 
formation, see the headings just quoted. 
SAW PALMETTO. See Serenoa 
serrulata. : : 
SAWS. Instruments in frequent de- 
mand for various purposes in gardens. An 
ordinary Saw, with the teeth set rather 
wide, answers well for sawing wood, cutting 
down trees, &c. In addition, a cross-cut Saw should be 
at command, as it is occasionally necessary to cut down - 
branches or trees that are too large for severing without 
an instrument of this description. Pruning Saws, for 
removing branches or spurs in ordinary pruning, are 
invaluable for their purpose; they are small, and carried 
to a point, something like those used for turning or 
cutting circular holes in boards. It is most important 
that Saws of every kind should be kept clean and in 
a dry place, when not in use. It is a good plan to rub 
a little sweet oil over the blades, in order to prevent 
them from rusting. : 
Fig, 424. GOOSEBERRY AND CURRANT SAWFLY (Nematus Ribesii) 
a, Lines to show actual spread of wings and length of body. 
SAW-WORT. A common name for certain species 
of Saussurea and Serratula. 
SAXEGOTHEA (named in honour of his late 
Royal Highness Prince Albert). Orp. Conifere. A 
monotypic genus. The species is a half-hardy, evergreen 
tree. For culture, see Taxus. 
S. conspicua (conspicuous). Prince Albert’s Yew. fl., male 
catkins in terminal spikes or racemes ; females in spherical heads, 
in the form of a little cone, on long, slender, terminal foot-stalks, . 
sometimes drooping. June. fr. composed of several consoli- 
dated, free scales, formed into a solid, fleshy, depressed cone. 
i. alternate and scattered, or somewhat in two rows on the 
branchlets, leathery, stiff, linear or oblong-lanceolate, somewhat 
falcate, slightly twisted and reflected, żin. to 1}in. long, convex 
above, ame DERE acute. h. 30ft. Southern Chili, 1846. 
(3. H. S. vi. 258.) 
SAXIFRAGA (an old Latin name used by Pliny, and 
derived from saxum, a rock, and frango, to break; so 
called because it was supposed to break stones in the 
