162 THE PLUM CURCULIO. 
Also during this year (1819) the curculio was first given a scien- 
tific name by an American entomologist, Mr. W. D. Peck, from 
beetles reared from black-knot on cherry; the original account of 
which is given below: 
This insect belongs to the same genus with the Rhynchxnus strobi or white pine 
weevil, described in the Massachusetts Agricultural Journal for January, 1817, to a 
plate in which I would refer for a representation of the parts of the mouth. In that, 
the rostrum or snout is nearly straight; in the present species it is curved, so as to form 
the segment ofacircle. All the thighs have two small obtuse points on the under side. 
In colour it is variegated with white and red hairs; the ground colour of the shelly 
coat on which they are placed is dark brown; The thorax is contracted behind the 
head; its surface is irregular, much pitted, and has a raised longitudinal line in the 
middle, with three small tubercles on each side of it, placed in a triangular form. — 
The elytra are marked with longitudinal ridges and on these are placed oblong tubercles 
of which there are ten or twelve; four of these in the middle of the elytra are largest, 
smooth, and of a brown black colour. On the under side the body is pitted, or marked, 
with large impressed points, like the top of a thimble. The first pair of feet is rather 
the largest; the second the smallest, and all sprinkled with white and bright rust- 
coloured hairs. Figure 5 shows the natural size of the insect, and figure 6 magnified. 
Mr. Pomroy was so obliging as to bring me three tumours cut from his plum-trees, 
later in the season, but the larve had left them. Being, therefore, uncertain whether 
the disease of the plum-trees is to be attributed to this insect or to another species of 
the same genus, I would call it the cherry weevil. It may be distinguished by the 
specific name of rhychnus (cerasi) femoribus dentatis; fulvo alboque variegatus, 
elytris tuberculis pluribus carinatis, quatuor in medio manoribus nigris. 
Among the 272 species of this genus, mentioned by Fabricius, there were several 
found in Cayenne and Carolina, which are nearly allied to this; but it differs from 
them all, and appears to be undescribed. 
The evil produced by this insect cannot be wholly remedied; but something may 
be done to diminish the mischief by cutting off the diseased branches. This, how- 
ever, must be done at the right season, and must be the joint care of a whole neighbor- 
hood at the same time. Those which furnished the data above set down, ceased to 
feed on the 6th of July, rose from the earth on the 30th, and were soon ready to deposit 
their eggs in healthy branches; but if the diseased branches be cut off in the last half 
of June, a great number may be destroyed, and most effectually, by burning the 
amputated parts. It is possible, that in some situations they may be disclosed earlier; 
it will therefore be surest to prune away the diseased parts as soon as they appear, 
cleaning the trees now of the old tumours, that new ones may be more readily 
perceived. 
A treatment out of the usual was that followed by a correspondent 
of David Landreth: 
When the fruit is perfectly set or half grown, I take a small hammer and bruise the 
trunk of the tree in 12 or 15 places, from near the root to the branches; the sap or gum 
will run out which I am satisfied will prevent the fruit from falling off. My neighbor, 
Mr. L., has practiced the same with success. I viewed his trees a few hours ago; he is 
well satisfied with the utility of it. 
I will not undertake to give exact reasons why it should prevent the fruit falling 
off ata premature age; it may be that the insects feed on the sap or gum that also there 
may be a superfluous quantity of sap in such trees, I will entirely leave it to those of 
superior judgment. 
