182 INDIRECT INJURIES CAUSED BY INSECTS. 



Here also may be included the larva of the long-legged 



gnat [Tipida oleracea), known in many parts by the name 



of the grub, which is sometimes very prejudicial to the 



grass in marshy lands, and at others not less so to corn. 



Reaumur informs us, that in Poitou, in certain years, 



the grass of whole districts has been so destroyed by it, 



as not to produce the food necessary for the sustenance 



of the cattle^. In many parts of England, in Holderness 



particularly, it cuts off a large proportion of the wheat 



crops, especially if sown upon clover-lays''. Reaumur 



concludes from the observations he made that it lives 



solely upon earth, and consequently that the injury which 



it occasions, arises from its loosening the roots of corn 



and grass by burrowing amongst them : but my friend 



. Mr. Stickney, the intelligent author of a treatise upon 



this insect, is inclined to think from his experiments that 



it feeds on the roots themselves. However this may be, 



the evil produced is evident; and it appears too from 



the observations of the gentleman last mentioned, that 



this animal is not killed by lime applied in much larger 



doses than usual *=. 



great numbers both on the wheat and on the land. The quantity 

 of shigs thus collected was near a bushel. — Mr. Rodwell is persuaded 

 that by this plan he saved his wheat from essential injury. 



^ Reaum. v. 11. 



•> Two species are confounded under the appellation of the grub, 

 the larvae namely of Tipuht oleracca and cornicina, which last is very 

 injurious, though not equally with the first. In the rich district of 

 Sunk Island in Holderness, in the spring of 1813, hundreds of acres 

 of pasture have been entirely destroyed by them, being rendered as 

 completely brown as if they had suffered a three months drought, 

 and destitute of all vegetation except that of a few thistles. A square 

 foot of the dead turf being dug up, 210 grubs were counted in it ! 

 and, what furnishes a striking proof of the prolific powers of these 

 insects, the next year it was diflicult to find a single one. 



" Sticknc^'s Observations on the Grub. 



