68 DR. HARRIS'S REPORT. April, 



amounts to 20,000 in one season. But as the grub continues in tiiat 

 state 4 seasons, this single pair, with their family alone, without reck- 

 oning their descendants after the first year, would destroy 80,000 

 grubs. Let us suppose that the half, viz. 40,000, are females, and 

 it is known that they usually lay about 200 eggs each, it will appear, 

 that no less than 8 milions have been destroyed or prevented from 

 being hatched by the labors of a single family of jays. It is by rea- 

 soning in this way, that we learn to know of what importance it is to 

 attend to the economy of nature, and to be cautious how we derange 

 it by our short-sighted and futile operations." Our own country 

 abounds in insectivorous beasts and birds, and without doubt the more 

 than abundant Melolonthse form a portion of their nourishment. 



In the year 1817, the Fabrician genus Melolontha contained 305 

 known species, 226 of which still retained that name, and 79 were 

 separated into 5 distinct genera. A great number of new s{)ecies 

 have since been added to this list, which it has become necessary still 

 further to subdivide. Having myself, in a paper on the noxious in- 

 sects of this genus, published in 1827, indicated some new genera, 

 and pointed out their types, I would, in my own justification, observe, 

 that, (as 1 have since ascertained,) about the same time, there were 

 established by European entomologists, similar genera, from a con- 

 sideration o( the same types. 



We have several allied species of JVIelolontlia whose injuries in 

 the perfect and grub state' approach to those of the European cock- 

 chafFer. Melolontha quercina of Knoch is our common species. 

 In its perfect state it feeds on the leaves of trees, particularly of the 

 cherry-tree. It flies with a humming noise in the night, from the 

 middle of May to the end of June, and frequently enters houses, at- 

 tracted by the light. In the course of the spring, these beetles are 

 often thrown from the earth by the spade and plough, in various states 

 of maturity, some being soft and nearly white, their superabundant 

 juices not having been exhaled ; others exhibit the true color and 

 texture of the perfect insect. The grubs devour the roots of grass 

 and other vegetables: in many places the turf may be turned up like 

 a carpet in consequence of the destruction of the roots. The grub 

 is a white worm with a brownish head, and, when fully grown, nearly 

 as thick as the little finger. It is eaten with avidity by crows and 



