Retrospective Criticism. 623 



IRELAND. 



Y6cca aloefblia. — A beautiful drawing of this species of Yucca, by J. W. 

 Bennett, has been kindly sent us by the Countess Dunraven, taken from a plant 

 which, on Oct. 6., was in full flower in the gardens at Adare, and from which 

 ^g. 128. is engraved. 



The plant, or rather tree, measures in height 28 ft. ; the girt of the trunk, at 

 10 ft. from the ground, is 17 in.; and, at the height of 20 ft., the trunk divides 

 into six massy branches, each terminating in a pyramid of flowers. In the 

 drawing, only four of these branches are exhibited; because a greater number 

 could not be seen from any one point of view. We have never before heard of 

 anything like so splendid a specimen of this species of Yucca; and beg to 

 return our best thanks for the drawing, and the other particulars sent along 

 with it. — Cond. 



Art. IV. Retrospective Criticism. 



Erhata. — In p. 466., line 4. of the article Denmark, for "five or six 

 years," read " part of 1824-5-6-7 ; " and, in line 1 6., for " The first melon was 

 cut on August 30.," read " A melon of 30 lb. weight was cut on August 30." As 

 farther corrections to this article read, " melons have been produced for ten 

 years back, sometimes in May ; white Chasselas grapes in July, and black Ham- 

 burg grapes in August; forced peaches by the end of June, or in July." — 

 Jens Peter Petersen. Copenhagen Royal Gardens, Rosenbiirgh, Oct. 2. 1837. 



In p. 439. line 5. for " Wilton Park colliery," read " Witton Park ol- 

 liery;" in p. 441. line 6. for "mansion is," read "mansion of John Back- 

 house, Esq., is."— J. B. W. Kiplin, Catterick, Oct. 15. 1837. 



Art. V. Queries and Anstvers. 



An Insect on the Scotch Pine. — In walking over my nursery this after- 

 noon, I was surprised to see a fine thriving piece of Scotch pines with 

 apparently nearly all their leading shoots broken down, and in many 

 instances dead. On examination, I found this devastation had been oc- 

 casioned by a species of beetle, which had bored down the middle of each 

 shoot, and which was, in many instances, still continuing its ravages down- 

 wards. I never observed the like before ; and certainly my pines have 

 not been previously infested with this insect. I send you a number of 

 specimens, in many of which you will detect the enemy. I should feel 

 obliged by the name of the insect, and by being informed if any means can 

 be used to prevent its spreading. — An Enquirer. Oct. 5. 1837. 



The insect sent by " An Enquirer," is the small wood-boring beetle 

 Hylurgus piniperda, described in the Arboretum Britanniciim, No. XLV., 

 under the article Pinus, p. 2141.; where the only method recommended 

 for its destruction, is to collect the trees or branches which it has infested, 

 and to burn them. A little enquiry into the natural history of this beetle 

 may, perhaps, give a clue to some other more effectual remedies. The 

 insect is now in the perfect state ; and it is for the purpose of obtaining 

 food, and not for forming a place for the depositing of its eggs, that it eats 

 the young shoots. Where, then, are the early stages of the insect's life 

 passed ? Not in the trees now infested : they are too hardy and well kept, 

 and too young, to allow this to be likely. A careful search should, there- 

 fore, be made amongst the Scotch pine trees fully grown (in the neighbour- 

 hood of the nursery, if not growing in the nursery) for the trees whose 

 trunlcs are infested by the grubs ; which, if unmolested, will next year turn 

 to the perfect beetles, which will swarm forth to destroy the young shoots 

 of all the adjoining pines. — J. O. W. 



Vinus cebenensis. — The Pinus cebenensis signifies, I think, Pin de Ce- 

 vennes ; but what the Pin de Cevennes is, I know not. It would be 

 necessary to know from whom the tree thus named was received. As I 

 have not seen the name or the description in any of our authors, I presume* 



