( vi ) 



" In the Premier's letter it is stated that all the vines supposed to 

 be infested have been dug up and destroyed, and that the roots sent are 

 some of tliose that remained in the ground from vines so destroyed. 

 Furthermore it is stated tliat the insects on the roots are in tlie first stage 

 of development, and that others, more advanced, will be forwarded at 

 a later date. 



" We find that the insects now examined are mostly very small ; but 

 there are a few considerably more advanced, and more than half grown. 



" The roots left in the ground after the destruction of the vines no 

 doubt retain their vitality for a considerable period, and so long as any 

 vitahty exists the insects will no doubt continue to live and breed upon 

 them. This is a very serious matter, and we strongly advise that all 

 ground upon which vines believed to be infected have been grown, should 

 be dug out to a depth sufficient to eradicate all the roots, and that the 

 soil be carted away and thoroughly burnt; or, if possible, the ground 

 may be submerged for a considerable time (though we doubt the efficacy 

 of this) ; or, failing the practicability of either of these suggestions, that 

 the ground be copiously saturated with some one of the chemical pre- 

 parations (such as bisulphide of carbon) used in France in such cases. 

 In addition to this we should strongly recommend that plots of land upon 

 which vines believed to have been infected have grown, should not again 

 be used as vineyards until after the lapse of several years. 



" We ask you to cause a copy of this Report to be sent to Sir Joseph 



Hooker, and have the honour to remain, 



Your obedient Servants, 



Robert McLaghlan, F.R.S. 



Edwakd a. Fitch, F.L.S. 

 London, 7tli January, 1884. " 



The Secretary read a communication from Prof. Thistleton Dyer, of 

 the Royal Gardens, Kew, acknowledging the receipt of the report, with an 

 expression of Sir Joseph Hooker's thanks for the same. A copy of the 

 report had been sent to the Agent General of Victoria. 



Papers read. 

 Mr. J. W. Douglas communicated a paper " On a new species of the 

 genus Orthezia" (0. vKBnariensis), received from M.J. Lichtensteiu, who 

 obtained it from Montecristo, where it was found on Erica arhorea. 

 Drawings of the insects were exhibited. 



Sir Sidney S. Saunders communicated some "Further notes on the 

 Caprification of domestic Figs, with reference to Dr. Paul Mayer's comments 

 thereon." 



New Part of ' Transactions.'' 



Part V. of the 'Transactions' for 1883 (Index, &c.) was on the table. 



