41 



cayed bark and rotten wood^ parlicularly of the 

 elm J .afford shelter to mimense numbers of de- 

 structive beetles. The black thorn, while in 

 blossom^ should be carefully beat. But it is 

 '^ where the white thorn whitens with lavish 

 fragrance," to whose blossoms numerous spe- 

 cies resort, that the collector will discover his 

 greatest source of profit. Before beating this, 

 or any other flowering shrub, a cursory glance 

 will often detect an insect feeding on the blossom 

 which may at once be secured with the forceps. 

 But with respect to flowers in general, I beg 

 once for all earnestly to recommend, that the 

 " charming offspring of Flora" be carefully pre- 

 served, so long as they remain in blossom, as 

 thoy furnish considerable employment and profit 

 to the collector. They should be constantly 

 watched, as beetles, bees, and oihexjlying insects, 

 are continually in search of *^ every opening 

 flower," and many hundreds will visit a single 

 blossom in a day. The gooseberry and currant 

 blossoms are continually visited by various kinds 

 of bees. Sallow, as soon as it is in bloom, is a 

 constant harbour forjnany bees and other insects. 



