3o8 



TiMEHRI. 



Mytilaspis huxi. — This species may be looked upon 

 as exceeding in fecundity any yet mentioned, and on this 

 ground is one of the most destru6live. It preys on several 

 garden plants, — namely Monster a deliciosa, Anthurium 

 magnificum and others of the same genus, and numerous 

 palms — all of which plants possess a thick leathery tex- 

 ture of leaf, which quality appears to be what is required 

 to invite the attacks of the insetls. A thin coating of 

 vaseline applied with a brush, is a good and sure way of 

 checking their multiplication and ravages. 



Carteria lacca.—T\^\s is a large, peculiar, and, in this 

 country, very rare scale. Only once has it been dis- 

 covered in Guiana, and that was at the Gardens on young 

 plants of Coca (Erythroxylon coca). Mr. DOUGLAS, 

 to whom the specimens were forwarded by Mr. MclNTlRE, 

 recognised it as the same species as that which produces 

 the gum lac of India. These specimens were the first, 

 and last, though a very careful search has been made 

 since they were discovered. 



I have mentioned only scales that are common. A plant 

 may have many parasites, and a parasite many host-plants. 

 This I have shown in regard to several, but others which 

 are rare or confined in limited numbers to single plants 

 I have not described, 



I may now go on to other minute predatory inse6ls which 

 do not belong to the scale family. Perhaps foremost of 

 these is Red Spider (Acariis telarius) . This pest is well 

 known to gardeners at home to be one of the most destruc- 

 tive enemies to be dealt with in plant houses. It has been 

 dete6led on several plants under cultivation here, 

 both in and out-doors. Grape vines especially suffer 

 much from it. This inse6t is a minute red creature, 



