TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 73 



between birds of day and of night. Moths are known to be fond 

 of light, and get into rooms when attracted by it. I have observed 

 many of the species that produces the grub, fluttering around 

 candles, and destroying themselves. It may, therefore, be inferred 

 that great numbers of the parent of grubs might be annihilated, 

 by placing fires of dry furze, or straw, or torches, in the lields 

 during the night, at the times they are observed to have under- 

 gone this final transformation. 



There seems to be also another method of destroying the grub, 

 and preventing its propagation. It has been usually remarked 

 that, at certain times, and more especially at night, it remains 

 upon, or near the surface. I therefore conceive that, by means 

 of a red-hot roller, or a perforated hollow cylinder filled with 

 burning charcoal, and moved slowly along a field, many of them 

 might be destroyed. 



Mr. Hale, in page 478, vol. iii. observes, that " the grub is the 

 " worm produced by the egg of the beetle. There is one parti- 

 " cular kind more destructive than the rest, and when the grub 

 " is mentioned, without any distinction, this kind is meant. It 

 " is a thick, short, whitish worm, with a hard red head, and six 

 " short legs. It is found among the roots of corn, and does pro- 

 " diffious mischief; it feeds on the sweet matter of corn, which 

 " is, at that time, a kind of pap, like cream." 



However correct this may be in the United Kingdoms, it does 

 not apply to St. Helena. " This creature," says Mr. Hale, " is 

 " the produce of the cockchafTer :"— but certainly the most de- 

 structive grub here is what is called " the black grub," which 

 is the same as I have described ; and its parent is undoubtedly a 

 moth. 



Mr. Hale's description corresponds, however, in some degree, 

 to a white maggot (",hog-worm," as it is here named, from hogs 



L 



