THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 135 



trunk will not interfere with its depredations. It is tlie Galeruca 

 cabnariensis, and is of foreign introduction. 



The injuries done to the cedar, locust, and other trees, hy insects, 

 were severally considered. 



The Doctor concluded by observing that, if men undertake to destroy 

 insects, they should know their economy, for otherwise those might 

 be destroyed which are really beneficial. In seme countries children 

 are employed for this purpose ; and to give an idea of the numbers of 

 some species of noxious insects, he stated an instance related by Mons. 

 Audouin, who was charged by the French Academy of Science to in- 

 vestigate the habits of a small moth, whose larva was found to be ex- 

 ceedingly injurious in vineyards in France. During the month of 

 August, women and children were employed for four days in collecting 

 the patches of eggs upon the leaves, during which period 180,900 

 patches were collected, which w^as equal to the destruction of 11,214,000 

 eggs. In twelve days, twenty or thirty workers destroyed 40,182,000 

 eggs ; all of which would have beeci hatched in twelve or fifteen days. 



The intimate connexion in which insects stand to man, to domestic 

 animals, and to vegetable productions, makes them well worthy thecon- 

 sideration of every one, and particularly of the farmer and gardener. 

 If we consider the fecundity of many kinds, which sometimes produce 

 an offspring of several thousands, and also that some species produce 

 several generations in one season, their numbers cannot be estimated. 

 All these uncounted myriads derive their nourishment either from 

 plants or animals in their living state, or from their remains when 

 dead. From such considerations, we may well be alarmed for our 

 fields, forests, and gardens. 



It would be well for farmers and gardeners to observe closely, and 

 communicate their observations through the journals of the day. We, 

 too, after awhile, may have a great national work on this subject, as 

 most European governments have. Our government, or some well- 

 endowed institution, could not more usefully spend a sum of money ; 

 and it is hoped that when an agricultural bureau shall have been es- 

 tablished here at Washington, we shall have such a work that shall 

 be worthy the subject and worthy the nation. 



