100 DR. HARRIS’S REPORT. April, 
spongy beneath ; the eyes oval or globose ; the antenne of moderate 
length, approximated at their base, and inserted before the middle of 
the face, near the mouth; the thorax transversely quadrate, or but 
slightly narrowed in front ; and the nails divided at their points, or 
toothed beneath. 
In the genus Galeruca, the antenne are rather shorter than the 
body, and composed of obconical joints ; the posterior thighs are 
not formed for leaping ; the nails are bifid at their points ; the body 
is oblong quadrate, and slightly flattened above: and the thorax is 
most often uneven or indented. Many of these insects, both in the 
larva and perfect states, devour the leaves of plants. They often 
occur in great numbers, and then commit devastations as extensive 
and injurious as those of any other noxious insects. Some of the 
species are known to metamorphose on the plants which they inhabit; 
others become pupe in the earth. 
The cucumber-bug belongs to this genus. It is called Galeruca 
vittata. At first sight it appears much like the potato-insect (Crioce- 
ris trilineata,) being nearly of the same shape and size, with the 
stripes similarly disposed. On examination, however, it will be seen 
that it is of a paler color, and that the thorax is differently formed. 
This bug, or more properly beetle, makes it first appearance on the 
cucumber, squash, and melon vines, about the last of May and first 
of June, or as soon as the leaves begin to expand. Its injuries are 
often very great, and various means have been tried to prevent its 
attacks. Dr. Barton recommended sprinkling the vines with a mix- 
ture of tobacco and red pepper, which he says is more beneficial than 
any other method. Others have advised watering the vines with a 
solution of one ounce of Glauber salts, in a quart of water. Mr. 
Gourgas, of Weston, has found no application so useful as ground 
plaster ; and a writer in the American Farmer extols the use of char- 
coal dust. The Rev. Dr. Harris, some years since, advised mak- 
ing fires in the night in gardens and orchards for the purpose of at- 
tracting and consuming noxious insects, and this plan has proved suc- 
cessful in destroying the cucumber-bug. The staves of old tar-bar- 
rels, or pit :li-pine knots, split into small pieces, are the best materi- 
als for making these fires. Many cover the vines. with millinet, 
stretched on small frames. Such an exterminating war has been 
