58 



the Chrysanthemum, have been observed. The Soft 

 Beetle or Dliela endangers the lives of animals that 

 inadvertently swallow it. Pea, Kice, and Grain Weevils 

 are unwelcome guests, the Lixus parapleticus is 

 hurtful to horses when swallowed, and Brachycerus 

 undatus and barbarus, of which negro women make 

 necklaces and amulets are common. 



The Golden Beetle specially loves the cat-mint, 

 and we have also the variety called in France the 

 Gilded Harlequin, not to mention others. The Crio- 

 ceris asparagi has been seen in Gozo. Lady-birds 

 called Dud ta 1'iscola are plentiful. 



The Orthopteri those scourges of industry abound 

 in these islands. We have the Black, Eed, and 

 German Cockroaches, the latter being small and 

 rare. Three species of Mantis or Walking Leaves 

 bear the name of Debba ta F Infern. Two of them 

 are Mantis oratorio, and Mendica. Eed, Blue, and 

 Green Grasshoppers swarm, and the Migratory Lo- 

 cust sometimes threatens us with its destructive 

 visits. In 1850 a swarm passed over the eastern 

 portion of the island, doing damage at Casal Zab- 

 bar and at Wied el Ghain, and covering the sea 

 with their bodies. The Mole Cricket is also very 

 hurtful to the crops, the Field-Cricket proverbial for 

 stupidity utters its shrill note in summer, and we 

 have two varieties of the Long-headed Grasshopper 



the Bar-wig. 



