100 DR. HARRIS'S REPORT. April, 



spongy beneath ; the eyes oval or globose ; the antennag of moderate 

 length, approximated at their base, and inserted before the middle of 

 the face, near the mouth ; the thorax transversely quadrate, or but 

 slightly narrowed in front ; and tiie nails divided at their points, or 

 toothed beneath. 



In the genus Galeruca, the antennae are rather shorter than the 

 body, and composed of obconical joints ; the posterior thighs are 

 not formed for leaping ; the nails are bifid at their points ; the body 

 is oblong quadrate, and slightly flattened above : and the thorax is 

 most often uneven or indented. Many of these insects, both in the 

 larva and perfect states, devour the leaves of plants. They often 

 occur in great numbers, and then commit devastations as extensive 

 and injurious as those of any other noxious insects. Some of the 

 species are known to metamorphose on the plants which they inhabit; 

 others become pupae in the earth. 



The cucumber-bug belongs to this genus. It is called Galeruca 

 vittata. At first sight it appears much like the potato-insect (Crioce- 

 ris trilineata^) being nearly of the same shape and size, with the 

 stripes similarly disposed. On examination, however, it will be seen 

 that it is of a paler color, and that the thorax is differently formed. 

 This bug, or more properly beetle, makes it first appearance on the 

 cucumber, squash, and melon vines, about the last of May and first 

 of June, or as soon as the leaves begin to expand. Its injin'ies are 

 often very great, and various means have been tried to prevent its 

 attacks. Dr. Barton recommended sprinkling the vines with a mix- 

 ture of tobacco and red pepper, wliich he says is more beneficial than 

 any other method. Others have advised watering the vines with a 

 solution of one ounce of Glauber salts, in a quart of water. Mr. 

 Gourgas, of Weston, has found no application so useful as ground 

 plaster ; and a writer in the American Farmer extols the use of char- 

 coal dust. The Rev. Dr. Harris, some years since, advised mak- 

 ing fires in the night in gardens and orchards for the purpose of at- 

 tracting and consuming noxious insects, and this plan has proved suc- 

 cessful in destroying the cucumber-bug. The staves of old tar-bar- 

 rels, or pit ' -pine knots, spHt into small pier-', s are the best materi- 

 als for making these fires. Many cover the vines with ujillinet, 

 stretched on small frames. Such an exterminating war has been 



