380 



RAVAGES OF INSECTS. 



Each time slie placed lierself as if she wished to cut into 

 the leaf with her saw ; but, upon taking out the leaf, the 

 eggs appeared rather projecting than lodged in its sub- 

 stance. They adhered so firmly, however, that they could 

 not be detached without crushing them. He could not dis- 

 cover any groove ;* but we think it likely that a minute 



a a. Saw-fly of the gooseberry (Xematus Ribtsii, STi;i'iii;.Nii). b, its eggs on the iier' 

 vures of a leaf, d d, the caterpillars eating, c, one rolled up. /, one extended. 



cut is made in the exterior membrane of the leaf, the 

 edges of which grasp and hold firm the part of the egg 

 which is thrust into it by the insect. Be this as it may, 

 the caterpillars are hatched in two or three weeks; and 

 they feed in company till after midsummer, frequently 

 stripping both the leaves and fruit of an extensive planta- 

 tion. The caterpillar has six legs and sixteen prolegs, and 

 is of a green colour mixed with yellow, and covered with 

 minute black dots raised like shagreen. In its last skin it 

 loses the black dots and becomes smooth and yellowish 

 white. The Caledonian Horticultural Society have pub- 

 lished a number of plans for destroying these caterpillars. 



* Ecaimiur, v. 125. 



