VI PEEFACE, 



** Flatworm," as, from its repulsive snake-like appearance, it 

 may save a little uneasiness for it to be known that any small 

 barm it may do is to plants only. 



An unusually small amount of enquiry was sent witb regard 

 to timber-infesting insects, excepting the Pine-injuring Giant 

 Sirex, which, from its great size and bright yellow markings, 

 attracts much attention. 



Extra-British communication has been greater than usual, 

 including more especially enquiries as to attacks from Cape 

 Town, also at Siam, in Ceylon, at Las Palmas (Canary Islands), 

 Helsingfors (Finland) ; and investigation as to presence of various 

 kinds of Hour- infesting insects in imports from various countries. 



The different arrangement commenced in this first number 

 of my Second Series of giving a division of " Short Notices " (see 

 p. 137), following the special Insect reports, has been adopted in 

 order to utilize contributions of observations which may possibly 

 lead oil to more complete information on special attacks, or are 

 serviceable as making jrrevious observations more complete, with- 

 out unnecessary repetitions regarding histories and habits. 



Information given in the twenty-two preceding Eeports is 

 made easily attainable by the excellent Index,* prepared by Mr. 

 E. Newstead, F.E.S., Curator of the Grosvenor Museum, Chester, 

 in which fully detailed reference is given, including the scientific 

 and popular names of the insects, with coincident points of 

 serviceable interest — as dates of first or of great appearances, 

 remedial applications, &c. ; and likewise a Plant Index is added, 

 with references to insect infestations, arranged under the heading 

 of each kind of crop or fruit plant attacked ; and an Animal 

 Index is also given. 



The amount of enquiry during the past season has been as 

 much, or more, than in previous years ; but there is great satis- 

 faction in it being obvious that serviceable practical knowledge 

 of how to deal with our ordinary crop and fruit pests (as well as 

 application of information) has been taking such good root in 

 the country as must be saving much agricultural loss. 



With the help of my secretary, Miss Hartwell, I am able to 

 attend to all applications sent, with only a little delay when they 

 are more than usually numerous. Should entomological aid be 

 necessary, I have arranged, as I mentioned previously, to ask 

 the co-operation of Mr. E. Newstead ; but in this case I should 

 not Jail to acknowledge the assistance. In my present number 

 I am indebted to him for compilation of the Index, and for 

 contribution of a valuable observation on Pear Sawfly, also on 

 Black Currant Phi/toptns ; but these, as well as the information 

 from all my other kind contributors, are duly acknowledged in 

 connection with the information given. 



My thanks are gratefully offered to many kind co-operators, 

 not only for special help b}- letter, but also the assistance from 



'•' See ' Geueral ludex,' advertised on wrapper. 



