68 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE TREHALA, 



collect the bark, in order that its astringent or tanning properties may- 

 be tested. 



For purposes of cookery, we have often observed twigs of dried 

 pimento-leaves suspended in kitchens: these leaves retain their aroma for 

 a long time. "Would it not be worth While to make them an article of 

 export as a substitute for the berry, more especially when the usual crop 

 is short or fails ? 



Kingston, Jamaica. 



SOME ACCOUNT OF THE TREHALA, A NEW INSECT 

 PRODUCT. 



BY H. MOQUIN-TANDON. 



The ireliala, or trieula, is a singular case which is well known in 

 Constantinople and in some parts of the East. At the last Great Exhibition, 

 some of these cases were sent from Turkey by M. Delia Sudda as a 

 particular species of Manna, without any other explanation appended to 

 them than the word "trehala." This production is described in the 

 Persian Pharmacopoeia of Brother Auge, of Toulouse, under the name of 

 schakar tigal, whieh means sugar of nests. It was at first supposed that 

 the trehala was obtained from an onopordon. It was afterwards ascer- 

 tained that it grows on the branches of a Syrian echinops (Decaisne). It 

 is produced by an insect, and is found principally in the Desert between 

 Aleppo and Bagdad (Bourlier). 



The insect is neither a Cynips nor an Aphis, but a tetramerous 

 Coleoptera, belonging to the family Rhyncophora ; it belongs to the genus 

 Larinus, and has been named by M. Chevrolat Larinus subrugosus. It is 

 closely allied to the Larinus onopordonis, Germ. The Larinus subrugosus 

 is of an oblong form, and of a black colour ; it has a projecting snout, to 

 the middle of which the antennae are attached. The elytra cover the 

 whole of the posterior part of the abdomen ; they are oblong, and 

 terminate each in a soft and slightly-recurved point. Their surface is 

 marked by ten punctated lines, which commence at^the anterior margin, 

 and unite before reaching the opposite extremity. 



The case is of an oval form, and attached in the direction of its length 

 to a branch of the tree. Its greatest diameter measures from ^, to ^ of 

 an inch in length ; its external surface is very irregular, and of a bight- 

 grey colour. The under surface is flattened, and marked by a deep 

 groove where it was attached to the branch. When separated, a large 

 circular hole is found at one extremity, by which the insect escaped. 

 The cavity of the trehala is large, and the perfect insect is often 

 found in it just ready to escape. The- internal surface is smooth, 

 and of a whitish or reddish colour. Its tissue is not very thick; 



