190 
or collecting the caterpillars, or spraying with an arsenical compound 
would suggest themselves, but the adoption of any plan must depend on 
local conditions and further study. Mr. Punch also writes: “ The two 
beetles sent are enemies of the caterpillars and are, I think, increasing. 
They are furnished with beaks which they drive into the "caterpillars 
and suck them dry, the dry skins being noticeable on the leaves. When 
many such skins are common it usually vetokens a temporary cessation 
of the pest, which, however, breaks out again. There is no specia 
time of the year for it. The pest stated in the S.E. corner of the farm 
and spread it in a N. W. direction. Subsequent attacks have shown 
a similar tendency. 
The * beetles” in question have proved to be examples of two species 
of bugs, Fam. Scutelleride, many of which are well gy nown to possess 
such habits. Unfortunately no effective way of reasing their 
numbers can be suggested. The facts as to the director i in which the 
pest spreads brent important, but their meaning can only be worked 
out on the spot. 
4. Coccip.E.— Scale insects. 
Two species of scale insect found on coffee have been sent by 
Mr.Punch. One is a species of Ceroplastes, with an irregular soie bit 
star-shaped waxy scale (test) ; the other is a Lecanium ; ; the former 
appears to be of little importance but the Lecunium, according to 
Mr. Punch, may be injurious. 
treatment against these scale insects is required and can be 
profitably undertaken, it must take the form of spraying with kerosene 
emulsion or some such compound. 
5. SPECIES UNDETERMINED. 
Mr. Punch has sent :— 
l. Some minute larve which he says “cause ribbon-like marks on 
the upper surface of leaves, by running a gallery between the epidermis 
and the ground tissue. It apparently does no harm 
Beyond the fact that this leaf init appears to be dipterous, there is 
nothing to be said about it. 
2. A series of small elongate narrow cocoon-like structures placed 
side by side and attached by their extremity to a piece of bark. These 
are shrivelled, hard, brittle, and homogeneous. The incomplete account 
sent with them states that * the pupe > adhere in lines as in the specimen 
to the vascular bundles. Layers are thus formed, closely imbricated, 
and on their development the stem is burst open longitudinally and the 
plant dies down to the place affected. At present four or tive trees 
only have been affected, but while starting from the tree attacked last 
year, the radius of the "circle of trees affected is wider. ‘The fission of 
stems occurs in the months July and August. Usually the cell con- 
taining the insect opens at its extremity, but I note that those which 
have opened since leaving Africa have done re longitudinally. The 
am unable to determine what kind of insect has formed these 
cocoons, and Mr. Punch’s account gines no clue. On the whole, it 
ost probable that it is dipterou 
S hel isot ve referred to as having sers hatched were present in the 
slide in some numbers. ‘They are an extremely minute form, about 4; 
of an inch in length, and at first sight resemble a thrips. The antenne, 
