312 THE SO-CALLED JUMPING BEAN OF MEXICO. 



have not been observed in either the filbert larva or that of the 

 apple or pear. In this respect it is more than nearly allied to the 

 well-known cheese-hopper, the larva of a fly ( Prophila casei), 

 which ^ on being disturbed in its hiding and feeding place and 

 exposed to light, forthwith proceeds to hook its head and tail 

 together, and then straightening its body out, is seen to bound 

 several inches away, thus quickly escaping its pursuer. 



Soon after the "jumping bean" made its appearance in 

 London, a still more curious jumping cocoon from South Africa 

 was brought to the notice of entomologists. This, indeed, 

 rivalled the English cheese-hopper in its fantastic jumping feats. 

 The larva, on being disturbed, quite easily leaped out of a 

 tumbler in which it had been placed. A marked feature in 

 connection with this pupa or chrysalis was that it also is provided 

 with a chisel-like rostrum which it employs, as does the Mexican 

 nut maggot, to cut its way out through the harder porcelain-like 

 coat which envelopes the cocoon. The caterpillar and the weevil 

 tribes are known to be the greatest enemies the gardener and 

 fruit-grower in this country have to contend with. Beans and 

 peas, apples, pears, and nuts have each their characteristic forms 

 of destructive insects. The eggs of beetles, weevils — indeed, of 

 all the insects— hatch out in the early spring, and it is then their 

 great work of destruction is carried on. The food stored up in 

 the cotyledon of a single bean sufiEices in most cases to carry the 

 larvae through its first short stage of existence. 



The larva of the apple-blossom commits incredible damage in 

 the pear and apple orchards, in France in particular, so much so 

 that syndicates of defence have been formed for its destruction. 

 This weevil is very small, and thereby escapes observation. It is 

 only the fourth of an inch long. It is reddish brown in colour, 

 and is furnished with a long rostrum. The larva, or maggot, is 

 said to be without feet ; but I think there must be some mistake 

 here, as the moment the blossom is touched the larva curls itself 

 up and drops to the ground, or lies concealed as if dead. In the 

 filbert orchards of this country, an enormous amount of damage 

 accrues annually from the nut weevil. As soon as the nut is 

 formed, the female is seen boring through the finest nut of a 

 cluster. Usually only one egg is laid, and her maternal task is 



