354 THE PLUM. 



indeed, often the whole crop, fall from the trees when half or 

 two-thirds grown 



If he examines these falling fruits, he will perceive on the 

 surface of each, not far from the stalk, a small semi-circular 

 scar. This star is the crescent-shaped insignia of that little 

 Turk, the curculio ; an insect so small, as perhaps, to have es- 

 caped his observation for years, unless particularly drawn to it, 

 but which nevertheless appropriates to himself the whole, pro- 

 duct of a tree, or an orchard of a thousand trees. 



The habits of this curculio, or plum-weevil, are not yet fully 

 and entirely ascertained. But careful observation has resulted 

 in establishing the following points in its history. 



The plum-weevil is a small, dark brown 

 beetle, with spots of white, yellow, and black. 

 Its length is scarcely one-fifth of an inch. On 

 its back are two black humps, and it is furnish- 

 ed with a pretty long, curbed throat and snout, 

 which, when it is at rest, ip bent between the 

 forelegs. It is also provided with two wings 

 with which it flies through tbe air. How far 

 this insect flies is yet a disputed point, some 

 cultivators affirming that it scarcely goes far- 

 ther than a single tree, and others believing 

 and that it flies over a whole neighbourhood. Our 

 own observation inclines us to the belief that 

 this insect emigrates just in proportion as it finds in more or less 

 abundance the tender fruit for depositing its eggs. Very rarely 

 do we see more than one puncture in a plum, and, if the insects 

 are abundant, the trees of a single spot will not afford a suffi- 

 cient number for the purpose ; then there is little doub*. (as we 

 have seen them flying through the air,) that the insect flies far 

 ther in search of a larger supply. But usually, we think it 

 remains nearly in the same neighbourhood, or migrates but 

 slowly. 



About a week or two after the blossoms have fallen from the 

 trees, if we examine the fruit of the plum in a district where this 

 insect abounds, we shall find the small, newly formed fruit, 

 beginning to be punctured by the proboscis of the plum-weevil. 

 The insect is so small and shy, that unless we watch closely it 

 is very likely to escape our notice But if we strike or shake 

 the tree suddenly, it will fall in considerable numbers or? the 

 ground, drawn up as if dead, and resembling a small raisin, or, 

 perhaps more nearly, a ripe hemp seed. From the first of April 

 until August, this insect may be found, though we think its de- 

 predations on fruit, and indeed its appearance in any quantity, 

 is confined to the months of May and June in this climate. In 

 places where it is very abundant, it also attacks to some extent 

 the cherry, the peach, and even the apple. 



