62 DR. HARRIS'S REPORT. April, 



Buprestis obscura is appropriated to the Carya porcina or pig- 

 nut-tree. Buprestis fulvo-giitlata inhabits the Pinus strobus, or 

 white pine. There is another species which attacks the small limbs 

 of this tree. Buprestis femorata has frequently been taken from the 

 peach tree. It also attacks the white oak. The perfect insect ap- 

 pears in June and July. Buprestis characteristica also inhabits the 

 oak. 



The situation of the larvae in the solid bodies of trees renders un- 

 availing our attempts to dislodge them. The only remedy that can 

 be suggested, is, to commit to the flames, as soon as possible, any 

 fruit trees which may be ^much infested or destroyed by them. In 

 this way many larvae may be prevented from going into the perfect 

 state, and thus continue their species. Although these larvae are be- 

 yond the reach of man, they do not escape the researches of the 

 woodpecker, by whom they are sedulously and successfully sought 

 and extracted from their retreats. 



Closely related to these insects are the Elaters or snapping bee- 

 tles, which are well known by the faculty they have of throwing 

 themselves upwards with a jerk, when laid on their backs. On the 

 under side of the breast, between the bases of the first pair of legs, 

 is a short blunt spine, pointing backwards, and usually concealed in 

 a corresponding cavity behind it. When the insect, by any acci- 

 dent, falls upon its back, its legs are so short that it is unable to turn 

 itself over. It then draws the legs close to the body, bends back 

 the head and thorax, and thus unsheaths its pectoral spine : then 

 suddenly resuming its former position, the point of the spine strikes 

 with force the edge of its sheath, which gives it the j)ower of a 

 spring, and reacts on the body of the insect, so as to elevate it per- 

 pendicularly into the air. When it again falls, if it does not come 

 down upon its feet, which is usually the case, it repeats its exertions 

 until its object is effected. 



The larvae are more or less injurious to vegetation. Some are 

 confined to decaying trees, in the trunks and roots of which they 

 reside. Others feed upon the roots of annual, perennial and herba- 

 ceous plants. These larvae, in England, from their slender form 

 and uncommon hardness, are called wire-worms. 



They are not to be confounded with the wire-worm of America, 



