452 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
(Proceras), and 80 parts acid to 100 of water to kill the large kind—locally 
the ‘tacuma,’ scientifically the Rhyncophorus. The application of chemicals 
is, however, scarcely practicable. From the size and extent of the crop, and 
the fact of the borers being inside when at work, it is very hard to get at 
them, but nevertheless systematic care seems to be doing something. 
“The points that appear especially to be attended to beneficially are, 
first, with regard to what are termed ‘tops,’ that is, the long pieces of 
cane-cuttings put in to form the new plants ‘These are carefully watched, 
and, if symptoms of the borer appears, are r2moved. Another point is 
cutting out infested pieces from the crop-plants; in this way the insect 
presence is diminished, and by putting the removed cane through the mills 
enough is got from it to pay expenses. Attention is also directed to 
destroying refuse cane, which otherwise would accumulate, and, by attracting 
borers, form centres for new hordes to come out from. 
“These points are all of great importance, and can be worked practically ; 
but for the constant watch on the borers necessary to keep them down, 
it seems that the only sure protection lies in encouragement of their natural 
enemies, and especially the ants, which form a kind of insect police, 
constantly and very efficiently on the look-out. 
“ After discussion of the subject last year (following on the very judicious 
suggestions of some of the residents in the colony), the Colonial Company 
issued orders that no more ants’ nests should be burned. These natural pro- 
tectors require some special care themselves, as, in addition to the clearing 
of their nests by fire in process of cultivation, it is a custom to burn them in 
order to drive away mosquitoes by the peculiarly pungent and unpleasant 
smell thus produced. 
“This protection, it may be hoped, will bring the average ant presence 
up to the previous amount, for there seems no doubt of their usefulness, 
Iam informed by various residents (with whom I have been in communi- 
cation whilst they were in England) that when unchecked these ants are 
immensely numerous; to be found in nests at the foot of the cane, and also 
on the canes; and that if some pieces of the cane are thrown down ants will 
directly be seen streaming to them from all quarters; and in this way they 
are always at hand to attack the eggs or young grubs before they have 
made their way into the cane, or again on their exit from it before going 
into the pupal state. ‘They appear to me the only check applicable to the 
cane-borer moth, Proceras sacchariphagus, in its imago form, in which, from 
the observations made in Mauritius, it appears to be remarkable for its 
sedentary habits, remaining motionless for a large portion of its short life 
in the shelter of the leaves. 
“The life-history of the moth has been already given by various writers, 
but there is so much of interest in the very long notes of it given by 
Mr. W. Bojer, the President of the Committee appointed by the Governor 
