104 OIU>EK COLEOPTERA. 



the wheat, a large portion of the kernels of which they had hollowed out." This would 

 imply that they survive two seasoos at least, and those I have iu niy possession sustain this 

 aMomptioti. 



« Many and various modes of exterminating this foe to man have been tried. We first 

 hear of fumigations witli herbs of strong and disagreeable odor j but this seems useless, as 

 it does not incommode the insect, while the grain receives a fetid and disgusting scent. 

 The fumes of sulphur are pronounced equally inefficient. All these fumigations are still 

 less adapted to the destruction of the larvae, as the smoke cannot penetrate among the 

 grain, and their perfectly closed envelope secures them from all such annoyance. Oliviee 

 recommends the following, as one of the most effectual and least expensive modes of 

 destroying them. At the return of spring, when the calandrae are observed to spread in 

 the heaps of winter-stored grain, it will be necessary to form small heaps of five and six 

 measures, and place them at a suitable distance from the large heap : this stir with a 

 shovel. The insects, who are singularly fond of tranquility, seek to escape, and, seeing 

 another heap of grain alongside, they take refuge therein. When all aie thus collected, 

 boiling water is brought and poured over them, stirring it from time to time with the shovel 

 to secure its penetration through the grain while hot. All these insects then die, being 

 burned or suffocated at the moment. The grain is then spread for the purpose of drying, 

 and afterwards sifted to separate the dead insects. 



 It is necessary to perform. this operation eaily in the spring before the deposition of 

 eggs, the generation existing being only dangerous in giving birth to its successors. This 

 method may be performed on a large scale as well as a small one, without occasioning any 

 considerable expense. 



« Other experiments have proved that a sudden heat of 75" Fahr. is sufficient to destroy 

 these insects, without burning them ; and a simple efficacious method is mentioned in the 

 Tennessee Agriculturist, quoted by Mr. Gaylord in his essay. " If a hogshead, with one 

 head removed, be inverted over a fire until thoroughly heated, and then immediately filled 

 with wheat and reheaded, all weevils in the grain will be killed, and the grain may be 

 kept in safety till wanted for use." 



'A gentleman in Madeira has established a heated room, with hot water pipes, in which 

 he receives as many as eight hundred bags of grain at a time : these become heated through 

 at about 135° Fahr. ; and the wheat, when resifted, is perfectly cleaned, making quite as 

 good bread as before, the seed also losing nothing of its vitality by this process.* 



' The French " lay upon the grain, fleeces of wool which have not been scoured : the 

 oily matter attracts the insects among the wool, when they soon die, from what cause is 

 not exactly known."! 



* Tnowctloni of the Entomological Society of London, Vol. 1 . t London Lit. Gazette, July 1, 1826. 



