THE TURNIP CROP. 319 



told that it is found in most parts of the United Kingdom, 

 and in many countries on the Continent ; indeed, I have 

 been informed that it has been known to destroy turnips 

 in North America. The general habits of this beetle ap- 

 pear to me to be most remarkable and eccentric ; for when 

 the weather is excessively hot, with a bright sun, it is then 

 in a very lively and active state ; and it is at this time 

 that it commits such fearful ravages upon the young turnip- 

 plant. Again, if the weather should change, and become 

 cold, cloudy, or stormy, its activity ceases, it then sheltering 

 itself either under the leaf of the plant, or in the crevices 

 in the ground, where it is found in almost a torpid state ; 

 but, upon a burst of sunshine, it quickly returns to its 

 work of destruction. The voracity of this insect is in- 

 credible; for in some seasons it has visited the turnip- 

 fields in such countless numbers, that it has been known 

 to entirely destroy a crop of turnips in a few hours. There 

 is a very strong odour proceeds from the young turnip- 

 plant ; and, the olfactory members of these beetles being 

 very acute, they quickly discover the field where they are 

 growing, frequently against the wind. To corroborate this, 

 I will repeat what is recorded by Mr. Le Keux, who states 

 that 'in May 1836, when the thermometer was at 75 

 degrees in the shade, during a south wind, great numbers 

 were on the wing, and all proceeding southward; and, 

 again, that eight acres, forming the summit of a hill in 

 Devonshire, were sown with turnips, and when the young 

 plants were just rising above the ground, the wind being 

 for more than a week at south-east, wafting the scent to 

 the north-west, they were so destroyed on this side that 

 nearly an acre was bare, whilst the south-east side was not 

 touched until the plants had attained a size to render the 

 attacks of the beetle of little consequence.' This extra- 

 ordinary insect attacks the turnip plant from the earliest 

 stage of growth, continuing its ravages until the two first 

 leaves are destroyed, leaving only the bare stem ; and it 

 is an undisputed fact that when the first-sown turnips are 

 taken, those sown afterwards scarcely ever thrive so well, 



