34 PROTECTION OF PLANTS. 1918-19 



Hoplia caeriilea, which had been found, dead it is true, in a street of one of the 

 suburbs of Quebec. 



This insect is a pretty beetle, rather small in size, thickset, almost cubical, of 

 a clear velvety green colour presenting a most beautiful effect. This is a 

 species of S. Europe, and it has been found in a Quebec street. 



Never was I more puzzled than by the discovery, on a bouquet of artificial 

 flowers upon an altar, of an authentic specimen of Hoplia caerulea. 



In that case I had the solution of the problem. These artificial bouquets are 

 often imported from Lyons, France, and the local artists, to give those flowers 

 which they are making more resemblance to the natural flowers, place upon them 

 one of those beautiful insects, which add still more to their beauty. 



We know, also, that in the tropics, ladies' dresses are sometimes ornamented 

 with some specimen, living or dried, of those beautiful golden green insects which 

 are found in these regions of wonderful natural products. Again we know that 

 the ladies of these regions go so far as to carry, as a precious ornament, little 

 lizards of the genus Anolis, which possess the peculiar power of being able to 

 change in an instant from their beautiful light green colour to a more or less dark 

 red colour. 



The case of Hoplica caerulea has nothing mysterious about it, once the facts 

 are known. But there is no similarity in the occurrence of Stretchia plusiiformis 

 at Saguenay, which remains in the condition of an insoluble problem. 



This fact, however, and others which could be brought forw'ard, do not 

 prevent the fact being true in a general way, that the animal and vegetable 

 species are always specialised for any large terrestrial area. Only man, and 

 those animals and plants which he has so to speak domesticated has installed 

 himself and prospered in all climates. And it is still necessary for him, to prevent 

 them from returning to a savage state, or being destroyed by natural enemies, to 

 keep a constant watch over them. 



It is to fill this role of guardian more effectually, that there have been founded 

 in different countries, and notably in our Province, Societies for the Protection of 

 Animals and Plants, whose members can prove their fidelity by rendering im- 

 portant services to their country. 



