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cane-borer moth, Procems saccliariphcujus, in its imago forii), iu which, from 

 the observations made in Mauritius, it appears to be remarkable tor its 

 sedentary habits, remaining motionless for a large portion of its short life 

 in the shelter of the leaves. 



" The life-history of the moth has been already given by various writers, 

 but there is so much of interest in the very long notes of it given by 

 Mr. W. Bojer, the President of the Committee appointed by tlie Governor 

 of the Island of Mauritius to investigate the subject and suggest a remedy, 

 in the autumn of 1848, on the first burst of the alarm, when the moth 

 was found to have fairly made good its footing in Mauritius, that, as 

 the original documents are somewhat difficult of access, and the numbers 

 of the ' Sugar-Cane' and the 'Royal Gazette,' in -which they are reprinted, 

 appear to be almost equally so, 1 venture to give some points from the 

 Report. 



" It appears that the presence of this moth was not known of in 

 Mauritius, either by any planter or by any naturalist familiar with the local 

 Entomology, until November, 18-18, when, with a view to regenerate the 

 canes of the islands (then diseased in another way), a quantity of new canes 

 were sent for from Ceylon. Before the arrival of these canes a report was 

 circulated that Cingalese canes were infested by a borer. On tlieir arrival 

 examination was made by a Committee appointed for the purpose, and 

 almost all these newly-imported canes were found to be perforated by the 

 moth cane-borer. The immediate destruction of the canes was recommended, 

 but it is conjectured that some left temporarily in an accessible spot w-ere 

 carried off and planted, for two years afterwards the moth made its 

 appearance. 



" The notes from Mauritius agree with most of those from British 

 Guiana as to the moth-egg being laid on the cane-leaves ; the caterpillar 

 feeding in the cane, and subsequently coming out again and turning to pupa 

 in a slight web amongst the leaves. The eggs are stated to be transparent, 

 their greenish colour making them difficult of observation on the cane-leaf; 

 their shape is depressed and oval; their longest diameter is stated to be 

 the third of a line. 



" The only moth observed in the act of oviposition deposited lf32 eggs, 

 which were placed in two parallel rows and hatched on the ninth day. 

 Their extreme transparency allowed of observations of the development of 

 the caterpillar in the egg. On the second day an opaque line was noticed, 

 indicating the first appearance of the digestive organs. On the next day a 

 small black point at one extremity of the line indicated the future head ; 

 later the body of the insect became more apparent; movement became 

 visible, and its position is stated to have been coiled on itself with the head 

 in the centre. The length of the caterpillar on coming out of the egg on 

 the ninth day is given as 1^ line. 



D 



