HAZEL AND FILBERT BUD MITE. 75 



The moth is rather common in some localities, especially in the south 

 of England. 



Methods of prevention and remedy are not needed with regard to 

 these caterpillars ; but — looking at the widespread belief of illness to 

 cattle being caused by their eating some small creature or caterpillar, 

 which, when sent for identification, proved to be the larva of the 

 Elephant Hawk Moth, which most especially feeds on plants growing 

 by ditches or in wet places — it would appear to be worth while for some 

 qualified observer, when opportunity should occur, to find whether the 

 illness — the so-called "murrain" — may not be attributable to some 

 poisonous water-plant, which, if known of, could be removed. 



In the paper entitled " Two Poisonous Plants," by the Consulting 

 Botanist of the Eoyal Agricultural Society (see Journal of Eoyal 

 Agricultural Society of England, Third Serits, vol. ix. pt. iii. p. 561), 

 will be found an account of deaths of cattle and sheep, accompanied 

 by symptoms agreeing with what had been previously observed in 

 cases of eating the tall-growing umbelliferous plant popularly known 

 as Water Dropwort, or Water Hemlock, scientifically as (Enanthe 

 crocata, Linn. Plants of this were found in the ditches to which cattle 

 had access. What plant or other evil may be the cause of the so-called 

 "murrain," remains to be seen; but this widespread trouble, which 

 more or less appears now to have given disturbance for at least twelve 

 years, would certainly be worth some skilled investigation as to means 

 of prevention and remedy. 



NUT. 



Hazel and Filbert Bud Mite. Phytoptiis avellanm, n. sp., Nalepa ; 

 Phytoptus vermifonnis, Vallot, Targioni-Tozzetti, Nalepa.* 



The swelled and deformed bud growths on shoots of Filbert and 

 Hazel Nuts, caused by Phytoptus presence, are not often the subject of 

 inquiry ; but from their great similarity in shape to those of the Black 

 Currant, they are so apt to be attributed to mischief caused by the 

 Black Currant Mite {Phytoptus ribis), that some reference to them 

 seems needed. 



The infestation appears to be becoming rather more prevalent 

 during the last few years, but, from the less favourable circumstances 



* For figure giving a very correct general representation of the form of the 

 female Nut Bud Gall Mite, see that of Currant Bud Mite, p. 34. 



