Retrospective Criticism. 623 



IRELAND. 



Yucca aloefhlia. — A beautiful drawing of this species of Vucca, by J. W. 

 Bennett, has been kindly sent us by the Countess Dunraven, taken from a plant 

 which, on Oct. 6., was in full flower in the gardens at Adare, and from which 

 Jig. 128. is engraved. 



The plant, or rather tree, measures in height 28 ft. ; the girt of the trunk, at 

 10 ft. from the ground, is 17 in.; and, at the height of 20 ft., the trunk divides 

 into six massy branches, each terminating in a pyramid of flowers. In the 

 drawing, only four of these branches are exhibited; because a greater number 

 could not be seen from any one point of view. We have never before heard of 

 anything like so splendid a specimen of this species of Yiicca; and beg to 

 return our best thanks for the drawing, and the other particulars sent along 

 with it. — CoJid. 



Art. IV. Retrospective Criticism. 



Errata. — In p. 466., line 4. of the article Denmark, for "five or six 

 years," read "part of 1824-5-6-7;" and, inline 16., for " The first melon was 

 cut on August 30.," read " A melon of 30 lb. weight was cut on August 30." As 

 farther corrections to this article read, " melons have been produced for ten 

 years back, sometimes in May ; white C'hasselas grapes in July, and black Ham- 

 burg grapes in August; forced peaches by the end of June, or in July." — 

 Jens Pete)' Petersen. Coj^enJiagen Itoyal Gardens, Posenburgti, Oct. 2. 1837. 



In p. 439. line 5. for " Wilton Park colliery," read " Witton Park ol- 

 liery;" in p. 441. line 6. for "mansion is," read "mansion of John Back- 

 house, Esq., is." — J. B. W. Kiplin, Cattericic, Oct. 15. 1837. 



Art. V. Queries and Ansivers. 



An Insect on t/ie Scotc/i Pine. — In walking over my nursery this after- 

 noon, I was surprised to see a fine thriving piece of Scotch pines with 

 apparently nearly all their leading shoots broken down, and in many 

 instances dead. On examination, I found this devastation had been oc- 

 casioned by a species of beetle, which had bored down the midtlle of each 

 shoot, and which was, in many instances, still continuing its ravages down- 

 wards. I never observed the like before ; and certainly my pines have 

 not been previously infested with this insect. I send you a number of 

 specimens, in many of which you will detect the enemy. I should feel 

 obliged by the name of the insect, and by being informed if any means can 

 be used to prevent its spreading. — An Enquirer. Oct. 5. 1837. 



The insect sent by " An Enquirer," is the small wood-boring beetle 

 Hylurgus piniperda, described in the Arboretiwi Britannicinn, No. XLV., 

 under the article Phius, p. 2141.; where the only method recommended 

 for its destruction, is to collect the trees or branches which it has infested, 

 and to burn them. A little enquiry into the natural history of this beetle 

 may, perhaps, give a clue to some other more eflbctual remedies. The 

 insect is now in the perfect state ; and it is for the purpose of obtaining 

 food, and not for forming a place for the depositing of its eggs, that it eats 

 the young shoots. Where, then, are the early stages of the insect's life 

 passed ? Not in the trees now infested : they are too hardy and well kept, 

 and too young, to allow this to be likely. A careful search should, there- 

 fore, be made amongst the Scotch pine trees fully grown (in the neighbour- 

 hood of the nursery, if not growing in the nursery) for the trees whose 

 trunks are infested by the grubs ; which, if unmolested, will next year turn 

 to the perfect beetles, which will swarm forth to destroy the young shoots 

 of all the adjoining pines. — ./. O. W. 



Vinus cebenensis. — The Pinus cebenensis signifies, I think. Pin de Ce- 

 vennes ; but what the Pin de Cevennes is, I know not. It would be 

 necessary to know from whom the tree thus named was received. As I 

 have not seen the name or the description in any of our authors, I presume. 



