318 Observations on the Pea Fly^ %^c, 



old habitations until the peas are planted, unless the 

 peas are purposely exposed to the hot sun beams, when 

 most of them break through, creep out and fly off, and 

 conceal themselves under proper shelter, from the arid 

 heats of the noontide sun, and chills of the night, until 

 the new crops of peas are ripe enough to invite them 

 forth to the active scenes of life, as well as to fulfil the 

 duties enjoined them by the author of creation, to in- 

 crease, and multiply. After they have disseminated 

 their eggs, they perish ; scarcely a pea amongst a thou- 

 sand escapes them. 



But that which is surprising and difficult to account 

 for, is, that the worm leaves the rostellum or sprout un- 

 touched or at least uninjured, for almost every pea ve- 

 getates and thrives vigorously, notwithstanding the cor- 

 culum^ and plumula seem to be consumed. Whe- 

 ther the sprout is of a disagreeable taste to them, or of 

 a noxious quality, or whether tliey are apprised of the 

 evil consequence of destroying the sprout, which in the 

 txA^ would exterminate the race, and thus by a won- 

 derful continence and perseverance in rectitude, set us 

 211 example of virtue, worthy of imitation, I know not» 

 Tlie pea fly is a troublesome, mischievous insect, for al- 

 though they do not destroy the green pea, or diminish its 

 quantity or nutritive qualities, yet it certainly contami- 

 nates and renders them disgustful to a delicate palate; for 

 when a fine dish of them is served up, we know there is a 



^ Corculum is the rudiment of the young plant. Plumula 

 rs, the first apparent expansion^ of the infant plant upwards, 

 which appeai'3 above ground, after the seed or pea has 

 sprouted. 



