98 Mr. W. Spence's Observations on the 



appearing also (as I submit) of a rudimentary or intermediate 

 nature. (Note 2.) 



Note 1. — 1 am aware that " ujlu)v" also signifies " membrana," 

 but assume that the word was elegantly used, originally, to denote 

 the peculiar feature of the wings of the Hymcnoptera, which the 

 yoked-connection or union (quasi matrimony) between them pre- 

 sented, because used in the former sense of " membrane," it is 

 quite as applicable to the Ilovioptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, &c. 

 which would deprive the name of its significance. In either case, 

 however, it is now equally inappropriate. 



Note 2. — Linnaeus appears to have propounded an observation 

 nearly approaching the above, when he says, " Hemelytra media 

 quasi alas inter et elytra" (Syst. Nat. ed. 12, i. 5.34), though he 

 was unacquainted with the existence of the uniting apparatus 

 between the wings, which is the ground of the above proposition. 



XV. Ohservations on the Destruction of the Apple Crop hy 

 Insects. By W. Spence, Esq., F. R. S., &)C. 



* [Read August, 1838,] 



After spending five weeks very pleasantly at Cheltenham, we 

 bent our course, about three weeks ago, to this charmingly ro- 

 mantic watering place (Malvern), where, being close to the great 

 cider districts of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, my attention 

 has been so strongly attracted by the deplorable failure of the 

 apple crop, and the apparent probability of its being caused by 

 insects, that I cannot help addressing you to suggest whether it 

 might not be desirable that the Entomological Society should 

 institute an investigation into the cause of the mischief, which 

 (as by all accounts it extends to Devonshire and throughout the 

 kingdom, the cider growers declaring that where they usually 

 made fifty casks they will not this year make five) will evidently 

 cause a very serious loss, of which, in every point of view, it 

 would be creditable to us at least to attempt to ascertain the 

 cause; and this, it strikes me, might be best effected by calling 

 upon such of the members as reside in the apple districts to com- 

 municate their observations, and to make inquiries as to the facts 

 of the case. 



I have of course made inquiries of the farmers near here, who 

 gave me just the answer I expected — " Oh, a blight, caused by 



