61 



Phylloxera Mite , a, dorsal , b, ventral view of female, 

 c, mouth-partrt , d, /, g. A, forms of tarsal appenda;.es , e, 

 ventral tubercles of male. 



is the instinct which teaches this blind larva to penetrate the soil in search of its prey ; for 

 the egg must necessarily be laid at the surface. But though the underground enemies of its 

 own class are few, I have discovered a mite which prey.s extensively upon this root-inhabiting 

 type, and which renders efficient aid in keeping it in check in this country. This mite (^Tip-o 

 gli/phux I'hi/llo.r^rne, Planchon & Riley, Fig. 4(!,) belongs to the same genus as the cheese and 

 meal mites, and the species which infests preserved insects, and is such a pest in cabinets. At 

 is the rule with mites, it is born with but six legs, but acquires eight after the first or second 

 Fio. 4B. I moults. It varies considerably in form, with age, 



and in studying it with a view of distinguishing 

 it specifically from other described species, I 

 have noticed all the different tarsal characters 

 shown as d, /, g and h, (Fig. 46), and on which 

 distinct genera have been founded. Mites pre- 

 sent themselves in such different forms that the 

 ... -^ „ adolescent stages of the same species have 



~^^ fI ?^^ J\c yif^^fe -ftp ^^^ ^^^'^ made to represent distinct families by 

 ■ -**■ ^* //^ ■^A -111 / ^T^ authors who never studied the development of 



these beings. The species under consideration, 

 when young, mostly contents itself with the 

 altered sweets of the roots which rot from the 

 punctures of Phylloxera, wh'le when older it 

 preys by preference on the lice themselves." 



" Direct Remedies. The leaf-lice, which do not play such an important part in the 

 disease as was at first supposed, may be controlled with sufficient ease by a little care in de- 

 stroying the first galls which appear, and in pruning and destroying the terminal growth of 

 infested vines later in the season. The root-lice are not so easily reached As the effort will 

 be according to the exigency, we may very naturally look to France for a direct remedy, if 

 ever one be discovered." But of all the innumerable plans, patented or non-patented, that 

 have been proposed, of all the many substances that have been experimented with under the 

 stimulus of a large national reward, no remedy has yet been discovered which gives entire 

 sati.sfaction, or is applicable to all conditions of soil. Nor is it likely that such a remedy 

 ever will be discovered. 



" While, tl-.erefore, not very satisfactory results have followed the use of pure in,«ecti- 

 cides, the application of fertilizers intended to invigorate the vine, and at the same time in- 

 jure the lice, has been more jiroductive of good. Kspecially has this been the case with fer- 

 tilizers rich in potassic salts and nitrogenous compounds, such as urine. Sulphuret of potas- 

 sium dissolved in liquid-manure ; alkaline-sulphates, with copperas and rape seed ; potassic 

 salts, with guano ; soot and cinders are, among other applications, most favourably mentioned. 

 Mr. Riley closes his very able K.ssay with the following remarks: — "We have in the 

 history of the (Jrape Phylloxera, the singular spectacle of an indigenous American insect 

 being studied, and its workings understood in a foreign land, before its presence in its most 

 injurious form was even suspected in its native home. The Franco Prussian war, with all 

 its fearful consequences to France, has passed away ; the five milliards of francs (one thous- 

 and million dollars) have been paid as indemnity t» her victors, in so short a time that the 

 civilized world looked (ju in wonder and astonishment. Yet this little Phylloxera, sent over 

 doubtless in small numbers, by some American nurseryman, a few years since, continues its 

 devastating work, and costs that unfortunate country millions ( f francs annually. The last 

 German soldier has been removed - at terrible cost it is true — from French soil, but the 

 Phylloxera army remains; and if another five milliard francs could extirpate the last indi- 

 vidual of this liliputian ir.sect host from her .soil, " la belle France" would be cheaply rid of 

 the enemy. Had the world, twenty years ago, possessed the knowledge we at present have of 

 this insect and of its dangerous power, a few francs might have originidly stayed its invasion 

 »f that great vine-growing and wine making country. Needs there any more forcible illustra- 

 tion of the importance of economic enttmiology ! " 



In confirmation of this statement, we read in the monthly report of the Department of 

 Agriculture (Washington, .Vugust and September, 1874), that "the Prefect of the Depart- 

 ment of the Rhone, in France, ha.s published a decree directing the mayor of each Commune 

 within his jurisdiction, upon the indication of the presence of the Phylloxera, to proceed at 



