C 51 ] 



mending for the fprigs which fuppofted their nefts 

 to be cut off and burnt. About the fame time a 

 black worm did a great deal of damage amongfl the 

 turnips. Soon after which a brown, or amber-co- 

 loured worm attacked the roots of faintfoin; and in 

 Wiltfliire and Hampfliire totally deflroyed the crop 

 in many fields. 



If, from any caufe, infers were become too nu- 

 merous to fubfifl: on the food which their fpecies 

 had been accuftomed to, hunger may force them to 

 take to other vegetables. The depredations com- 

 mitted by fquirrels, in fir-plantations, which has en- 

 gaged the attention of the Society, had its com- 

 mencement not many years ago. 



The accidental appearance of the curl may be 

 accounted for in another way. The fame infeft^ 

 which, in a grub or caterpillar ftate, deftroys the 

 roots of vegetables under ground, afterwards takes 

 wing, and flies away. It is well known that infefta 

 migrate, occafionally, but not regularly. The in- 

 feft which firfl attacked the potatoe, may pofllbly 

 have come from a diftant country. " The Lord, by 

 " an eafl: wind, brought locufts into the land of 

 " Egyptj — and, by a mighty flrong weft wind, took 

 " them away." 



Whether the injury done to the potatoe be occa- 

 fioned by any effluvia, or matter ejefted by the in^ 

 kCiy which gets into the circulation, and taints the 

 juices, or whether it arife (as I rather think) fronl 



£ z the 



