20 ASH. [1900 



This represents the mother-gallery leading to a surface, altogether 

 about two inches by one, in which the larval galleries have been " so 

 closely packed that their galleries have coalesced," and consequently 

 all traces of these have disappeared, excepting at the external part of 

 the working, where there is room, the galleries are visible, with the 

 tenant at the extremity. Prof. Fisher mentions both crenatns beetles 

 and larvfe being present, but notices the working as "hardly typical 

 of the species." In my own specimens two of the galleries ended in 

 what had apparently been the pupal cell; and (from no other attack 

 than that of crenatns being observably present) I conjecture the 

 specimen to have been an example of this unusual form of working, 

 but am not able to give complete proof. 



This attack is recorded as especially infesting Ash trees of con- 

 siderable age, especially such as are in sickly condition, and also when 

 established in one stem not to desert it willingly for another. On 

 this habit it is mentioned by Mr. A. C. Forbes, in his excellent paper 

 in the Highland and Agricultural Society's ' Transactions ' : " The 

 beetles rarely leave a tree which they have once attacked until it is 

 completely destroyed, each successive generation eating further and 

 further into the least vigorous parts of the tree. In this way old Ash 

 of large size may be destroyed in a few years ; and the fact that more 

 damage is not done by this beetle can be accounted for in some 

 measure by the fact that Ash timber is rarely allowed to remain 

 in plantations to a great age in large numbers." — (A. C. F.) 



The species is noted by Herr Eichhoff (see work referred to in 

 note, p. 17) as being found over almost the whole of Europe (Sweden, 

 Eussia, Germany, Austria, France), and, though usually only found 

 as an Ash infestation, is sometimes found in Oak. 



Prevention and Remedies. — The only practically available mea- 

 sures appear to be felling infested trees, and loppiug infested branches, 

 and so treating these that the beetles should, even if so disposed, be 

 unable to leave them on finding their habitat unsuitable for continuance 

 of their operations. 



Stripping the bark and destroying it may be expected to get rid of 

 the infestation, as any small amount which might be in the outer 

 wood of the tree would almost surely perish from exposure. Tarring 

 also is a good treatment, very effectual and costing little. 



The treatment especially needed in the case of the Common Ash- 

 bark Beetle — namely, removing and guarding newly felled Ash trunks 

 from the attacks of H./raxi)ii — appears to be useless or exceptionally 

 useful in the case of crenatns, by reason of this species infesting not 

 felled but standing trees. 



In the case of attack occurring to young trees, as appears some- 



