1838. HOUSE— No. 72. 67 



gathered SO bushels of the beetles. In the year 1785 many pro- 

 vinces in France were so ravaged by them, that a premium was of- 

 fered by government for the best mode of destroying them. The 

 Society of Arts in London, during many years, held forth a premium 

 for the best account of this insect, and the means of checking its rav- 

 ages, but without having produced one successful claimant. In their 

 perfect state, these, with several other species, act as conspicuous a 

 part in injuring the trees, as the grubs do in destroying the herbage. 

 Besides the leaves of fruit trees, they devour those of various forest- 

 trees and shrubs, with an avidity not much less than that of the locust, 

 so that, in certain seasons, and in particular districts, they become an 

 oppressive scourge, and the source of much misery to the inhabitants. 



MoufFet relates that, in the year 1574, such a number of them fell 

 into the river -Severn, as to stop the wheels of the water-mills ; and, 

 in the Philosophical Transactions, it is stated, that in the year 1688 

 they filled the hedges and trees of Galvvay, in such infinite numbers 

 as to cling to each other like bees when swarming ; and, when on the 

 wing, darkened the air, annoyed travellers, and produced a sound like 

 distant drums. In a short time, the leaves of all the trees, for some 

 miles round, were so totally consumed by them, that at midsummer 

 the country wore the aspect of the depth of winter. 



Another chaffer, Melolontka vitis. F. is sometimes exceedingly 

 injurious to the vine. It prevails in certain provinces of France, 

 where it strips the vines of their leaves, and also devours those of the 

 willow, poplar and fruit trees. The animals and birds appointed to 

 check the ravages of these insects, are, according to Latreille, the 

 badger, weasel, martin, bats, rats, the common dung-hill fowl, and 

 the goat-sucker or night-hawk. To this list may be added the com- 

 mon crow, which devours not only the perfect insects, but their 

 larvae, for which purpose it is often observed to follow the plough. 

 In " Anderson's Recreations," it is stated that " a cautious observer, 

 having found a nest of five young jays, remarked, that each of these 

 birds, while yet very young, consumed at least 15 of these full sized 

 grubs in one day, and of course would require many more of a small- 

 er size. Say that, on an average of sizes, they consumed 20 a piece, 

 these for the 5 make 100. Each of the parents consume say 50 ; so 

 that the pair and family devour 200 every day. This in 3 months 



