106 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 



F, — If suffered to ripen, its downy seeds are borne by 

 the wind in clouds, in every direction ; and as they readily 

 take root, and as the plant likewise is perennial-rooted, that 

 is, springs from the old root, it is difficult to keep it down. 

 Much might be done, however, if farmers were unanimous, 

 but the plant is in many cases permitted to grow and ripen 

 by the sides of the roads, whence the seeds are scattered over 

 the fields. Repeated mowings in summer will cause the 

 roots to wither and die ; and if each one would take the 

 trouble to cut off the flowering heads of those that grow in 

 the roads of his own farm, the plant would be prevented 

 from seeding. — This is the house at which I have business ; 

 it will not detain me long : if you please you can go in with 

 me, or take a look at the village. 



C 1 will ramble about until you are ready. I shall 



find sources of amusement, I dare say. 



F, — Now, Charles, it is time to see about returning. 

 What do you think of Charleston ? 



C. — It is a much prettier village than Compton ; it con- 

 tains handsomer and more tasteful houses, and more of 

 them. But I have not been in the village all the time you 

 have been engaged; I have been entomologising in the 

 fields. 



F. — Have you had much success ? 



C. — Not very much : I have turned over stones, and 

 found under them several specimens of a large chestnut-co- 

 loured chafer, with flexible elytra ; it is something like the 

 cockchafer, but much more sluggish and inactive. 



F. — It is frequently turned up by the plough, when 

 breaking up grass -land ; and I have likewise turned up 

 large larvae of a scarab, which I take to be this species 

 ( Rhizotroga Fervens). 



