^4 (JABBA(JE. 



On the 26th of June specimens were forwarded to me, by desii*e of 

 Mr. C. Mervyn Doyne, of Wells, Gorey, Co. Wexford, Ireland, of a 

 maggot infestation which was then doing much harm within the stems 

 of Cabbage in that district. On examination of these very small mag- 

 gots, and their method of working, it appeared to me that the infesta- 

 tion was in all probability that of a species of Baridius, a small long- 

 snouted weevil, of which the attacks are well known on the Continent, 

 although I am not aware of it being known as a crop pest here. 



At the time of receipt of the specimens I was not, however (conse- 

 quently on my own severe illness), able to attend to developing the 

 larvffl sent up to beetle state, and on my subsequent application failed 

 to procure beetles, so I cannot be absolutely certain of the nature of the 

 attack; but as it differed from any other Cabbage-stem attack with 

 which I am acquainted, I give the information in my hands, as far as 

 it goes, for future reference. The note accompanying the specimens 

 sent was as follows : — 



"I am desired by my father to send you the enclosed young 

 Cabbage plant, which has been attacked by a small grub which you 

 will find more than half way up the stem. Nearly all the Cabbage 

 plants in this district have been attacked in the same way by this 

 insect, and when the grub works its way up nearly as far as the leaves 

 the whole plant withers and dies. 



" The grub seems to get into the stalk somewhere very low down 

 near the root, and has destroyed plants where lime was put into the 

 ground quite as much as in places where nothing was done." — (K. D.) 

 The maggots sent were small and white, and obviously weevil 

 maggots, and in appearance and method of attack (so far as material 

 sent allowed me to see) the infestation resembled that of Baridim. 



The following is the description given by Dr. E. L. Taschenberg of 

 the habits of the maggots of the genus Baridius. — "The larvae with 

 which we are acquainted live by boring into various kinds of CrucifertE, 

 and consequently are very injurious to the different kinds of Cabbage 

 of our kitchen-gardens, where they penetrate into even the smallest 

 ends of the roots, eating them all out, and filling them with the dust 

 from their workings. They develop, also, in the stems, to the pupal 

 state, and in the latter part of the summer to beetles, which leave their 

 cradle by means of a round boring, but where this does not take place 

 these serve in some cases for winter quarters." 



This is the account of the general habits of the genus of Baridius 

 given by Dr. Taschenberg. Of the B. cldoris (figured in beetle and 

 maggot state at p. 23), he gives the colour as shining green, some- 

 times with a bluish glisten ; the length, without the proboscis, just 

 under the sixth of an inch. The maggot is described as white, and 

 somewhat glassy in appearance, and with yellow brown head. 



