RhynchcBUUS Cerasi, 491 



colour it is variegated with white and red hairs ; the ground 

 colour of the shelly coat on which they are placed is dark brown. 

 The thorax is contracted behind the head ; its surface is irregular, 

 much pitted, and has a raised longitudinal line in the middle, 

 with three small tubercles on each side of it, placed in a triangu- 

 lar form. The elytra are marked with longitudinal ridges and on 

 these are placed oblong tubercles, of which there are ten or 

 twelve; four of these in the middle of the elytra are largest, 

 smooth, and of a brown-black colour. On the under side the 

 body is pitted, or marked, with large impressed points, like the 

 top of a thimble. The first pair of feet is rather the largest ; the 

 second the smallest, and all are sprinkled with white and bright- 

 rust-coloured hairs. The points of the claws on all the feet are 

 double. 



Mr. Pomroy was so obliging as to bring me three tumours cut 

 from his plum-tree, later in the season, but the laryae had left 

 them. Being, therefore, uncertain whether the disease of the 

 plum-tree is to be attributed to this insect or to another species 

 of the same genus, I would call it the Cherry Weevil. It may be 

 distinguished by the specific name of Rhynchcenus (Cerasi), femo- 

 ribus dentatis ; fulvo alboque variegatus, elytris tuberculis pluribus 

 carinatis, quatuor in medio majoribus nigris. 



Among the 272 species of this genus, mentioned by Fabricius, 

 there were several found in Cayenne and Carolina, which are 

 nearly allied to this ; but it differs from them all, and appears to 

 be undescribed. 



The evil produced by this insect cannot be wholly remedied ; 

 but something may be done to diminish the mischief by cutting 

 off the diseased branches. This however must be done at the 

 right season, and must be the joint care of a whole neighbourhood 

 at the same time. Those insects which furnished the data above set 

 down, ceased to feed on the 6th of July, rose from the earth on 

 the 30th, and were soon ready to deposit their eggs in healthy 

 branches ; but if the diseased branches be cut off in the last half 

 of June, a great number may be destroyed, and most effectually, 

 by burning the amputated parti. It is possible, that in some 

 situations they may be disclosed earlier ; it will therefore be 



