Queries and Answers. Yl 1 



Vol. IX. p. 723.]) ; and whether they ever come above ground, by night, to 

 feed, 1 know not : their empty chr^'salises may be seen in numbers, just 

 emerged above the surface. One of my greatest enemies is a tough dirt- 

 coloured grub, as thick as a goose- quill, which destroys roots, especially the 

 fleshy roots of the irises. I have no doubt it turns to some species of J/usca 

 Lin.; but I know not to which. Herewith I send you specimens of a minute 

 coleopterous insect, which I do not recollect to have noticed before : it 

 occurs copiously on stones under water in our brook here, adhering closely 

 to the bottoms and sides of the stones. No doubt, the insect is common 

 elsewhere: but what is its name?* Behold how ignorant I am of entomo- 

 logy ! I really sometimes feel quite ashamed to think how eagerly we seek 

 after rarities, while we pass by common every-day objects, of which we are 

 yet very ignorant: SovKoi ovtiq rwv aei araini)v, virepoitraL St roiv hmQcitoiv., 

 (Slaves to strange things, contemners of things usual.)" {In a Letter from 

 the Rev. W. T. Bree, dated Allesley Rectory, August 10. 1834.] — J. D. 



The Poverty of the Jersey Gardens. — I quite agree with your correspondent 

 W. S. (Vol. XII. p. 551.), in his feelings of disappointment at the poverty of 

 the Jersey Gardens. Probably his opportunities of observation have much ex- 

 ceeded mine ; but, certainly, what little I have seen fully bears out his asser- 

 tions. The dearth of good flowers and shrubs which are tender in England, 

 though hardy here, is very great. M3rtles, fuchsias, and pelargoniums are 

 ahnost the only tender plants we see in the open ground, with the addition of 

 Amaryllis Belladonna. I am really provoked to see how little the people here 

 avail themselves of their advantages in point of climate. Most of the plants 

 and shrubs of New Holland, the Cape, and the south of Europe would 

 grow here, with little or no protection, during winter. I do not think gardening 

 is properly attended to. There is a Horticultural Society ; and it is to be 

 regretted that it does not pay more attention to the introduction of plants 

 which would grow in the open air. Many might be procured from the nursery 

 of Mr. Saunders, who possesses a tolerably good collection, though not so 

 rich as I had expected. This, however, I imagine, to arise from the little 

 demand he finds for plants at all out of the common way. I should greatlj^ 

 like to reside here for some years, merely to try what could be grown in the 

 open air. — W. C. Jersey, Oct. 20. 1836. 



Errata. — In p. 587. line 27., it is stated that Josiah PuUen died in 1814: 

 it should have been 1714. In the same page, the reference to the Meinorials 

 of Oxford should have been No. xxvii., instead of No. xxxiii. 



Art, V. Queries and Answers. 



The Black Grub on Turnij)s, — Are you, or any of your numerous cor- 

 respondents, acquainted with the natural history of the small black grub which 

 lately made such havock amongst the turnips ? — ./. B. IV. Sept. 15. 1836. 



Babbitts preferable to Pigs for making Manure. — I have these four years 

 /past kept several rabbits, in order to ascertain if tliey would not be more 

 beneficial for a cottager to keep than pigs | but I always lose a great many oi 

 the young ones when they are about two months old ; and I find it is a general 

 complaint amongst all persons that keep them. If the young could be reared, 

 I am satisfied that rabbits would be far more profitable than pigs, besides 



* The name of this insect was procured for Mr. Bree at the time ; though 

 we cannot now say with certainty what it was. We may state, however, that 

 we shall be happy to procure the names of insects for gardeners or others, 

 who will send them, accompanied by such information respecting them as 

 they may possess. — Cond. 



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