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BRECK'S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



are sometimes found in immense numbers on the flowers 

 of the common white-weed, or ox-eye daisy, (Leucanthe- 

 mum vulgare,} a worthless plant, which has come 

 to us from Europe, and has been suffered to overrun our 

 pastures, and encroach on our mowing lands. In certain 

 cases it may become expedient rapidly to mow down the 

 infested white-weed in dry pastures, and consume it, with 

 the sluggish Rose-bugs, on the spot. 



" Our insect-eating birds undoubtedly devour many of 

 these insects, and deserve to be cherished and protected 

 for their services. Rose-bugs are also eaten greedily by 

 domesticated fowls; and when they become exhausted 

 and fall to the ground, or when they are about to lay 

 their eggs, they are destroyed by moles, insects, and other 

 animals, which lie in wait to seize them. Dr. Green in- 

 forms us, that a species of dragon-fly, or devil's needle, 

 devours them. He also says that an insect, which he 

 calls the enemy of the Cut-worm, probably the larva of a 

 Carabus or predaceous Ground-beetle, preys on the grubs 

 of the common Dorbug. In France, the Golden Ground 

 Beetle (Carabus auratus) devours the female Dor, or 

 Chafer, at the moment when she is about to deposit her 

 eggs. I have taken one specimen of this fine Ground- 

 Beetle in Massachusetts, and we have several other kinds, 

 equally predaceous, which probably contribute to check 

 the increase of our native Melolonthians." 



