INSECTS ATTACKING PLANTS. 25 



young buds, and stems of plants, that insects are the most 

 detrimental in their attacks. Of these the turnip-fly (Hal- 

 tica nemorum), and some other species, hold the foremost 

 rank. Several species of Apion devour the seed of growing 

 clover. Entire and extensive families of 

 beetles (Crioceridae, Chrysomelidce, &c.) are 

 LJ similarly employed in devouring the leaves of 

 various plants, as well as the numerous species 

 of saw-flies ; but it is among the Lepidoptera 

 Apion. that this species of injury occurs in the highest 

 degree, whole forests being sometimes entirely 

 defoliated by various species. In like manner the flowers 

 and fruits of various plants are subject to similar devastation 

 by insects. It would, however, require an entire enumera- 

 tion of vegetables and their attendant species of insects, in 

 order to lay before the reader a complete account of the 

 ravages of insects upon our vegetable productions ; since it 

 is to be observed that, for the most part, the latter are 

 destined by an all-wise Creator for the support of the for- 

 mer. Their ravages, therefore, which man regards as inju- 

 ries towards himself, are but the natural result of the ordi- 

 nary workings of the economy of nature. A few observations 

 upon this branch of the subject, and with reference to the 

 employment of remedies against the attacks of these noxious 

 insects, will not be considered out of place. One of the most 

 common, and at the same time most weighty charges brought 

 against the entomologist is, that whilst he bestows endless 

 labour and trouble in collecting and preserving the various 

 species of insects, his attention is never, or but very rarely, 

 directed to inquiries into the most effectual remedies against 

 those insect scourges which nature has inflicted upon our 

 vegetable productions. He is told over and over again, that 

 to make the science which he cultivates more beneficial to 

 society, and thereby more generally known, a share, at least, 



