200 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The lower branches of Austrian pines, up to thirty or forty 
years old, are here also favourite breeding-places. These branches 
are from 1 to 3 inches in diameter, and sickly on account of their 
close environment by their neighbours; and though little or no 
damage is done to the trees actually attacked, still there is the 
possibility of the swarms next attacking the adjoining young 
plantations. I have found many trees here, 3 to 4 feet high, 
bearing between fifty and sixty insects. 
ARCHIBALD MITCHELL, 
In August 1896 Mr G. W. Constable, Traquair, Innerleithen, 
forwarded to me an insect which had been found in cutting up a 
larch tree, twenty-five to thirty years old. The insect proved to 
be a very fine specimen of a female Sirex guvencus, whose occur- 
rence in Scotland is very rare, so rare, indeed, that it would be 
interesting if members who have met with the insect would record 
the fact in this page. Mr Constable reports that the estate 
foresters at Traquair have only once or twice previously seen 
the insect, though on the present occasion three specimens were 
obtained. 
T may also mention that in the same month a specimen of the 
female Sirex gigas was sent to me from Wolsingham, in the 
valley of the Wear. 
W. SoMERVILLE, 
