80 C L E P T E R A . 



the tiiinor whence they sprung. It is worthy of remark, 

 that they are sure to appear on these warts in due time, and 

 that they are never found on any other part of the tree. 



Insects are often found in the warts of the plum-tree, as 

 well as in those of the cherry-tree. The larvge of a minute 

 Ct/nips, or gall-fly, are said to inhabit them,* but have never 

 fallen under my observation. The naked caterpillars of a 

 minute moth are very common in the warts of the plum- 

 tree, in which also are sometimes found other insects, among 

 them little grubs from which genuine plum-weevils have been 

 raised. This is a very interesting fact in the economy of 

 the plum-weevil. It may be questioned, however, whether 

 it be a mere mistake of instinct that leads the curculio to 

 lay its eggs in the warts of the plum-tree, or a special pro- 

 vision of a wise Providence to secure thereby a succession 

 of the species in unfruitful seasons. 



The following, among other remedies that have been sug- 

 gested, may be found useful in checking the ravages of the 

 plum-weevil. Let the trees be briskly shaken or suddenly 

 jarred every morning and evening during the time that the 

 insects appear in the beetle form, and are engaged in laying 

 their eggs. When thus disturbed, they contract their legs 

 and fall ; and, as they do not immediately attempt to fly or 

 crawl away, they may be caught in a sheet spread under 

 the tree, from which they should be gathered into a large 

 wide-mouthed bottle, or other tight vessel, and be thrown 

 into the fire. Keeping the fruit covered with a coat of 

 whitewash, which is to be applied Avith a syringe as often 

 as necessary, has been much recommended of late to repel 

 the attacks of the curculio. A little glue, added to the 

 whitewash, causes it to stick better and last longer. We 

 may succeed by this remedy in securing a crop of plums ; 

 but as we cannot apply it to cherries and apples, they will 

 be sm^c to suffer more than ever, and hence no check will 



* Schweinitz, Synopsis Fungorum ; in Transactions of the American Philo- 

 sophical Society, Philadelphia, New Series, Vol. IV. p. 204. 



