GRUBS. 391 



be done with it, except paring and burning tlie surface, or 

 ploughing it up, and turning in a flock of ducks or other 

 poultry, or a drove of pigs, which are said to eat these 

 grubs, and to fatten on the fare. Drenching the field with 

 stable urine* by means of reservoir-carts, like those used 

 for watering-roads, would, if sufficiently done, both kill 

 the grubs and beneficially manure the land. 



The grub called the wire-worm, though not very appro- 

 priately, is the larva of one of the spring or click beetles 

 (Hemirhipus lineatus, and H, ohscurus, Latkeille), known by 

 their long flattish body, and their power of springing 

 with a clicking sound out of the hand when caught. In 

 some works on agriculture, the larva of a common crane-fly 

 (Tipula oleracea or T. crocata) is called the wire-worm, — we 

 suppose by mistake.f The grubs of the click-beetles, just 

 alluded to, are said by Bierscander^ and by Mr. Paul of 

 Starston, Norfolk, S who watched their transformations, to 



a, Wire-worm; b, Click beetle. 



continue five years before producing the perfect insect. 

 During this time the grub feeds chiefly on the roots of 

 wheat, rye, oats, baa'ley, and grass ; but seems also some- 

 times to attack the larger roots of potatoes, carrots, and 

 salads. Its ravages are often so extensive as to cut oft' 

 entire crops of grain. It appears to be most partial to land 

 newly broken up ; and has not been found so abundant in 



* See the Haiieian Dairy System, p. 222. 



t See Loudon's Eiicycl. of Agriciilt., s. G921. 



X Act. Holm. 1779, p. 281. § Kirby and Spence, vol. i. p. 182. 



