THE BORER WEEVIL. 453 



striped yellow and brown, an insect about the size 

 of the nail of one's finger. If the cocoon be opened 

 before this last transformation, the pupa found within 

 is of a dingy brown colour, and its bulky body is 

 well supplied with the usual milky fluid, stored for 

 that final change in which it comes forth from its 

 temporary sleep, to become the parent of a succession 

 of enemies to the planter." 



The ravages of the weevil-grub do not, according 

 to Mr. King, retard the growth of the cane, or in 

 any way affect the healthiness of its outward ap- 

 pearance. The juice, however, is greatly deterior- 

 ated. " Though there is some quantity of really 

 sweet juice still remaining between the rind of the 

 cane infected by the borer, and the galleried centre 

 through which it had worked its upward way, I have 

 found it impossible to granulate this juice. It re- 

 mains molasses, and to temper of any kind, whether 

 lime or any more powerful alkali, can produce sugar 

 from it. It might be possible to desiccate it by 

 continued boiling, but the result would be charcoal, 

 not sugar." 



The writer recommends preventive and remedial 

 measures. Among the former he deprecates the use 

 of animal manure not sufficiently decomposed. A 

 great number of the insects are carried in with the 

 cane tops and leaves with which the cattle are lit- 

 tered. If this manure, unrotted, be taken to the 

 cane field, the young sprouts become infected with 

 the pest as soon as they begin to vegetate. 



As soon as the sprouts begin to joint, the presence 

 of the insect becomes evident to a careful eye by the 



