THE AGRICULTURAL PESTS OF INDIA. 107 



is not, however, forthcoming. The opinion universally 

 accepted by natives is, that young juar when suffering 

 from deficiency of rain becomes infested with an insect 

 called ' bhaunri,' to which its poisonous effect on cattle 

 is due. Immediately rain falls the insect is said to 

 perish, and unless the ears have appeared before the rain 

 failed, the crop often recovers itself and yields a good 

 out-turn of grain. Juar is peculiarly liable to a species 

 of bunt (Tilletia), a parasitic fungus well known in 

 English corn-fields, which converts the whole contents of 

 grains, externally apparently perfectly healthy, into a foul, 

 greasy, dark-coloured powder. But birds and squirrels 

 are probably the worst enemies the cultivator has to 

 contend with, and their depredations necessitate the crops 

 being watched for at least twenty-five days before it is 

 cut, which adds, of course, to the cost of cultivation. 

 J. F. D. ; W. B. F. 



SphaBnophorus planipennis, weevil of Ceylon, attacks the 

 palms. 



Spiders. See Araneidic. 



Squirrel. See Mammalia. 



Starling, The rose-coloured starling, Pastor roseus, 

 Linn., is a famous locust killer, but their flocks commit 

 immense depredations on the white sorghum and the 

 mulberry. The pied starling is Sturnopastor contra. 



Sternocera chrysis, the rose beetle. 



Stomoxys calcitrans has a hard, sharp-pointed proboscis, 

 which pierces thick knickerbocker stockings, and inflicts 

 a sharp sting. Capt. St. John. 



Strongylus filaria is a small round thread- worm of a 

 yellowish-white colour, from 1 to 2j inches long. They 

 are found in the air passages and lung tissue of lambs 

 and young sheep, and cause the serious and destructive 



