102 Indian Museum Notes. [ Yol. LI, 



The figure is drawn from a specimen from the West Indies presented 

 to tlie Museum by Mr. W, F. H. Blandford. The length of the speci- 

 men is about two and a half millimetres. Its colour is light chestnut 

 brown. The legs and antennae in the figure are merely dotted in to give 

 an idea of their probable shape, for the setting of the specimen does not 

 permit of an accurate drawing being made of these appendages, and it 

 has been thought best not to run the risk of damaging the specimen by 

 disarranging it for the purpose as it is at present unique in the Museum 

 collection. The markings shown in the figure on the prothorax and ely- 

 tra will probably be sufficient to enable the insect to be recognized when 

 met with in sugar-cane, but it should be noticed that there are a large 

 number of very similar, though distinct insects, to be found boring into 

 the bark of trees in India. 



An interesting summary of what is known on the subject of the Fun- 

 Fungoid disease versus goid disease [Isaria densa 'L\nk. = Bolr//t?'s 

 Melolontlnni larvsB. tenetla Saccai'do) which attacks Melolonthin 



larvse is given in the April number of the periodical Insect Life. The 

 large amount of damage which is done by Meloloutliini larvse or '' white 

 grub " in India makes the question of the practicability of utilising this 

 disease for destroying the pest, an important one, but the evidence at 

 present available on the subject is very contradictory. According to M. 

 Alfred Giard^s paper in the Comptes Rendns of the 3rd August 1891, the 

 spores retain their germinating powers for more than a year and the dis- 

 ease can be readily communicated not only to Melolontbini larvse but 

 also to other insects which live in a similar manner in damp situations. 

 According, however, to M. JeanDufour's paper in the CJironiqua Agncole 

 Viticole et Forestier du Canton dti Fa«^^, November 10th 1891, though the 

 disease can be disseminated to a certain extent by infecting the soil 

 either with artificial cultures or with fragments of diseased insects, the 

 number of fresh grubs which take the disease is very limited. 



E. C. COTES, 



Calcutta, Deputo/ Superintendent, 



25th June 1892. Indian Museum. 



Govt, of India Central Printing Office.— No. 441 R. & A. (113).— 6-4-93.-1,000.— E, B, 



