THE COTTONY-CUSHION SCALE. 43 



given us but comparatively little trouble, still we must 

 be prepared, as the accursed sparrows render the suc- 

 cessful introduction of ladybirds here next to an impos- 

 sibility, these destructive birds being especially fond of 

 our useful little ladybirds, also of the formerly common 

 red and black spotted one, Leis conformis^ which they 

 destroy in large numbers. With the increase of 

 sparrows, therefore, we may, ]3artly through the destruc- 

 tion of these ladybirds, have the Icerya seriously attack- 

 ing our orangeries and even other fruit trees, so we must 

 be ready for any emergency of this kind. Having looked 

 at the sparrows from most points, I am inclined to think 

 them the biggest plague, locusts and rabbits excepted, 

 that we have or ever had in Victoria, and we should lose 

 no time or spare no expense in ridding the colony of such 

 a rapidly increasing scourge. 



The object in having the double plate in connexion 

 with this insect is to show the scale with its parasites as 

 far as possible without giving lengthy descriptions, which 

 latter, although most excellent, are hardly suitable for a 

 strictly practical work of this kind, as the coloured plates 

 it is hoped will supply all that the growers require. 



Dr. Lintner, State Entomologist of New York, in his 

 admirable treatise, says : — "It occurred to Professor 

 Riley, Chief of the United States Entomological Division, 

 that the ravages of the Icerya could be stayed if the 

 natural parasites that had kept it from being, a pest in 

 Australia could be secured, brought to California, pro- 

 pagated in sufficient numbers, and then turned loose to 

 seek their prey. After much labour and many disappoint- 

 ments, a small appropriation was obtained, sufficient to 

 defray the travelling expenses of two agents of the divi- 

 sion. They were despatched to Australia, where they were 

 successful in procuring some of the parasites and pre- 

 daceous enemies of the Icerya, and in sending them alive 

 to this country (U.S.A.). They were carefully cared for, 

 propagated in confinement in large numbers, and then 

 distributed throughout the infested districts. One of 

 the imported species, belonging to the family of the 



