PSTLLA PTEI. 



have no joints. The eyes are reddish and prominent, like those of the locust, (^Cicada.) 

 The head is black, with a yellowish red longitudinal stripe. Thorax same, yellowish 

 red, spotted with black. Four first segments of abdomen bhu-k, ringed with yellowish 

 red. Extremity or tail broad, black, and fringed with hair. I likewise discovered on 

 the same branch a cluster of very minute, reddish eggs, placed on and underneath a 

 bud, and which probably belong to the PsylJa. The perfect insect has four wings, 

 which, when folded together, form an angle like the roof of a house. These wings 

 are transparent, veined with black, and with a black spot or maa-k on the lower side 

 of the upper wings. The under wings are partly edged with black, and have only 

 o«e black rib near the center. The head (which is divided in the center, and has two 

 projections in front,) and thorax are dark brown, striped and spotted with dirty yellow. 

 Eyes prominent, and reddish. Abdomen black, banded with yellow. Legs yellowish. 

 Antennse long, and apparently jointed. Tail divided, black, and turned up. The 

 perfect fly generally walks with the greatest gravity and decorum ; but on presenting 

 the finger, and when you least expect it, he disappears with a spring like a grasshop- 

 per, using his wings at the same time ; and it was some little time before I could 

 capture a perfect specimen to sketch from. They likewise appear to be of a very 

 sociable disposition, as groups of twelve or more may be found on the branches, hud- 

 dled together like sheep, and each one apparently on the best possible terms with his 

 neighbor. After my thermometer had been to 7 deg. Fahr., I found several perfect 

 insects hidden under the rough bark of a pear tree, and which, on being placed in my 

 hand, became " thawed out" and quite lively. The greatest wonder is how the larvoe 

 elaborate honey-dew in such great quantities, as I have seen a drop exuding from the 

 body of one (perhaps the gormandizer of his race) six or eight times as large as the 

 insect itself. Indeed, it was only from the appearance of this dew that I was at first 

 induced to examine a branch. No doubt this constant drainage of sap must impair 

 the vital energy of the tree, and in time would so much weaken it as to impair its 

 fruitfulness, if not altogether kill it. 



The insect being found, the next question is how to get rid of it.^' Whale oil soap 

 with a little flour of sulphur is excellent for most insects, and I think would answer 

 the purpose here. I have often seen the little chickadee, or black-cap titmouse, cling- 

 ing to my pear trees, head up or down as the case might be, peering inquisitively 

 into such nooks and cornei'S as the Psylla pupae frequent, and then making a most 

 suspicious dart with his short and sharp bill. I have no doubt that he often swallows 

 a dozen or so as a relish, as we eat oysters, although it would require a great many 

 Psyllce to make even a tolerable lunch for a chickadee. 



In regard to birds, with all due deference be it spoken, I am of a very different 

 opinion to the anti-ornithological correspondent of the Horticulturist., and will merely 

 mention one fact among the many I have experienced, in corroboration of my opinion. 

 A king bird, or tyrant fly-catcher, having made rather too free with the lives and 



* We succeed quite well in destroying the common green and black aphis on trees, with a solution of tobacco. We 

 put some tobacco stems into a barrel — say half fill it — and then fill up with water. After a few days soaking it is fit 

 for use. We keep this very effectual remedy at hand during the whole growing season. It would be very 

 add a little whale oil soap. W^e think this will destroy tho PsijUa, especially if pretty strong. — Ed, 



