affecting the Clover-crops and Padure-land&. 67 



depreciations of the larvae of a species of Musca, which devours 

 the seed so much that in many spikes scarcely one will be found 

 perfect, I wish I could give the name of this fly, but at pre- 

 sent its transformations seem to be unknown. Mr. H. Gibbs 

 informed this Society that all the species of Af/rostis likewise 

 were subject to the depredations of a little orange-coloured larva 

 to such an extent that in most cases not more than one seed in a 

 dozen ever vegetated on sowing. These larvae are the prey of 

 Cimex campestris (a little plant-bug), whose rostrum seems pecu- 

 liarly formed for searching the husks of the grasses.* 



The GENERA Chlorops and Oscinis are next deserving our 

 notice. There can be no doubt that these flies are generated to 

 a wonderful amount in the stems of grasses, yet the economy of 

 the various species so generated has, 1 believe, as yet escaped the 

 notice both of agriculturists and naturalists. In all probability 

 the grasses most affected by these flies are species of Avena and 

 Lolium, which bear the greatest afhnity to the oat and wheat ; 

 but this is merely my own conjecture. 



As the history and economy of certain species of these flies 

 were fully investigated and discussed in a former report, f we need 

 only refer to it for further information : the figures and descrip- 

 tions there given Avill satisfy the inquirer who wishes to become 

 acquainted with the various species. 



EAliWIGS. 

 Earwigs are so abundant everywhere, and occasionally swarm 

 in such countless myriads, that they not only become trouble- 

 some even in our houses, but are one of the greatest pests wher- 

 ever flowers, fruit, or vegetables are to be found. The grasses, 

 when in flower, are a favourite haunt of these insects ; and 

 although the farmer does not suffer such severe losses from their 

 inroads as the florist and horticulturist, yet, no doubt, they often 

 assist in the destruction of young crops, eating the plants off as 

 soon as they shoot from the earth. Earwigs may not only injure 

 the crops in their early stages of growth, but amongst wheat, 

 grasses, &c., the fructification may be affected by their feeding 

 on the pollen. They compensate, however, in some measure 

 for the mischief which they produce by the destruction of the 

 Aphides and the Thrips. They are most voracious insects, 

 coming out at night from their haunts to feed, and at that time 

 they will attack even bees, especially several wild ones, called 

 Osmia hicornis, Colletes, and Anthophora, which are sometimes 

 almost exterminated by them. They devour the pollen, pupa, 



* Kirby and Spence, sixth ed. vol. i. p. 146. 



t Boy. Agr. Jour., vol. v. p. 489, pi. L., figs. 23-26. Ibid., p. 494, pi. I., figs. 

 31, 34. 



F 2 



