74 PLUM. 
the case. Mr. Wilson wrote, on September 7th :—‘‘ Your suggestion 
that the beetle came from the north of Europe is quite correct, as the 
wood (Fir) used in the mine is brought from Norway.” 
As it is very unlikely that either this kind of beetle or the Sirex 
flies, previously mentioned, could lay eggs and set infestation on foot 
in timber in the condition used in mines, their presence scarcely seems 
of practical importance, for the number of exit-holes would be a pretty 
safe guide as to where so much damage had been going on as to render 
the wood insecure for props or mine service, but the subject is at least 
one of some curiosity. 
The Timberman Beetle is a very pretty creature; the general 
colour of a brownish ash or smutty violet, and the wing-cases marked 
with little black spots, and with two somewhat oblique brownish 
bands, the front one (in the specimen figured) hardly extending beyond 
the edge of the wing-case, and the expanse of the antenne as the 
beetle moved gently along bearing them at right angles to its body 
was, as near as might be, six inches. 
PLUM: 
Shot-borer Beetles—Xyleborus saweseni, Ratz. = Xyleborus axylo- 
graphus, Say; also Xyleborus dispar, Fab. 
XYLEBORUS SAXESENI.—1, beetle; 2, larva—magnified, with natural length of each ; 
3 and 4, cell, natural size, showing broad and flat, and also narrow view. 
