INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE VINE. 295 



2. Spondylus, or Sphondylus. — Scarabwus Melolontha, Linn. — 

 The Cockchaffer. — Digression on the several kinds of Cock- 

 chaffer known to the ancients, and on some allied genera; and 

 respecting the use of the word Melolontha by ancient and 

 modem writers. 



Agreeably to our proposed plan, Spondylus, or Sphondylus, 

 will be the first word for our consideration. 



From a comparison of passages we are warranted in con- 

 cluding that the larva of this insect is of sufficient size to have 

 been considered a kind of small serpent ; that it eats the roots of 

 every kind of plant except the birthwort, or wild vine, Vitis 

 syhestris, which is by some supposed to be the Clematis, but 

 which is certainly not the vine. 3 



We are acquainted with but one kind of larva which entirely 

 agrees with this description : it is that of the common cock- 

 chaffer, so well known to horticulturists by the name of white 

 worm. The larva of Melolontha Fidlo, or M. vidgaris of 

 modern naturalists, is, we consider, the Spondylus of Pliny and 

 Aristotle. 



We read in Aldrovandus, b that Agricola says the modern 

 Greeks give the name of Spondylus to a kind of worm with 

 a red head and white belly, about the size of the little finger, 

 which is found under ground, rolled up amongst the roots of 

 culinary vegetables. This is, certainly, the larva of the cock- 

 chaffer. But here we would ask, was Agricola acquainted with 

 the insect alluded to by the modern Greeks; and do they 

 now use the word Spondylus for the white worm? 



If the Spondylus of Pliny and Aristotle be the same insect, 

 it follows that this last named naturalist, who has designated a 

 perfect insect under this name, was aware of its metamorphosis ; 

 and this will not appear surprising, when we recollect that 

 Aristotle, as I before remarked, has correctly described the 

 metamorphosis of the cabbage- butterfly ; and afterwards 

 alludes to the general fact, observing, that most insects come 

 from a worm {scolex) ; " the worm grows," he says, " and 

 becomes an articulated animal." Aristotle well observes, that 



a Avist. and Plin. 



b Aldrovandus de Inseclis, 1618, Frankfort, p. 225. 



c Arist lib. v. c. 19, torn. i. pp. 286 et 287 ; lib. I. c. 4, No. 1, et 1. 5, 12 et 17, 

 de l'ed. de Schn. 1811, Svo. ; torn. ii. c. 17 ; torn. ii. p. 207. 



