Instructiom for Tncffle-Searching. 389 



at the time when they make their appearance as moths, the 

 laying of the eggs would be prevented, and the trees saved from 

 the next year's broods. Bouche, however, recommends brushing 

 the twigs of the rose in the winter with a stiff brush, which 

 would have the effect of destroying the eggs ; but as these are 

 deposited in the most secure places, at the roots of the eyes and 

 under the base of the young twigs, there is some danger and 

 much difficulty in this method. An inspection of the trees in 

 the early spring, before the insects have done much damage, will 

 easily show the places of lodgment of the larvae, which may then 

 be readily destroyed by the hand. 



Moreover, they have natural enemies belonging to their own 

 class. I have this year reared two ichneumons, nearly as large 

 as the moth itself, from one chrysalis. They are of a black 

 colour, with pitchy red legs, and beautifully iridescent wings. 

 A species of sand wasp, belonging to the genus Odynerus, also 

 collects these caterpillars, of which it lays up a store in its cells 

 for its progeny ; and I was greatly amused by watching the pro- 

 ceedings of a sand wasp in attempting to dislodge one of the 

 larvae from its stronghold in the leaves. After pacing about the 

 tree, and endeavouring, apparently with its antennae, to discover 

 the retreat of the hidden caterpillar, it paced more demurely 

 about a packet of leaves, and introduced its sting into the sub- 

 stance of the leaf; immediately after which it ran to the edge of 

 the whorl, in order to ascertain whether the larva was endea- 

 vouring to make its escape from its unknown enemy. It repeated 

 this operation several times ; so that I was convinced its object 

 in wounding the leaf was to alarm or, perhaps, slightly wound 

 the larva, so as to cause it to quit its retreat, when it would have 

 been pounced upon and carried off, to be laid up, with others of 

 the same kind of caterpillars, as a store of food for the future 

 progeny of the wasp. 



Art. II. Instructio7is for Truffie- Searching. Translated from the 

 German of V. F. Fischer. By Francis Mascall, Esq., of Epple- 

 ton, Durham. 



[It has frequently been suggested to us, that the cultivation of 

 the truffle would form a very fit subject for premiums to be 

 offered by the principal Horticultural Societies ; and a friend has 

 been kind enough to translate for us this article and the following 

 one. Could the truffle, indeed, be subjected to. cultivation as 

 effectually as the mushroom, it would be one of the grandest 

 triumphs of horticultural skill ; and it would contribute towards 

 rendering of general use an article of luxury which is now 

 enjoyed but by few, and which would prove an additional source 

 of industry and profit to the market-gardener. In our opinion^ 



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