372 THE NATURAL HISTORY 



them capable of emulating centifolice in its destructive 

 powers. The Gooseberry Saw-fly, Nematus Grossu- 

 laria, is another very common species, in some seasons 

 its larvae swarm on the gooseberry, and we have seen 

 long rows of bushes completely stripped of their leaves 

 by them on several occasions. Although, as a result 

 of these attacks, the fruit prematurely assumes the 

 tinge of colour special to each variety when ripe, it is 

 never fully developed, and is comparatively destitute 

 of flavour. 



The ovipositor in the insects of the second family, 

 although presenting a strong analogy in each of its 

 component parts to that of the saw-flies, is a very 

 different instrument in its general form. It projects 

 considerably beyond the extremity of the abdomen, is 

 tubular instead of flat, and is very firm, rigid and 

 powerful. It is termed a terebra or borer, and is 

 capable of penetrating solid living timber, in which 

 the female deposits her eggs. The larvae, which are 

 white fleshy grubs not at all resembling those of the 

 saw-flies, eat their way into the substance of the wood, 

 and in the course of their development, perforate it in 

 all directions, sometimes to such an extent and in such 

 numbers, that they are said to have more than once 

 caused great destruction among the pine forests on 

 the continent. In or about the year 1845, a new floor 

 was laid in one of the offices at Uppark, and the year 

 following we had an opportunity of recording our first 

 introduction to Urocerus Juvencus, a specimen of 

 which noisily attracted our attention as it buzzed 

 against the window. During the next two or three 

 weeks, many others made their exit from the floor 

 through very neat circular perforations that remain to 

 this day, and on several subsequent occasions, we 

 have seen individuals of the same species in the 

 timber-yard attached to the out-buildings. 



Urocerus gigas, the only other species we have 

 identified, is said to be a very rare British insect, but 



