1838. HOUSE—No. 72. 101 
waged with these insects, that I have had no opportunity of learning 
their history or metamorphosis. The eggs and larve, although fre- 
quently sought for, have escaped my researches. But the habits are 
presumed to be similar to those of G. punctzcollis, which is found in 
profusion on the common Salsola. The larve of this species live in 
the earth, and feed on the roots of the Salsola, and do not leave the 
earth until they become perfect insects. 
In the genus Haltica, the antenne are about half the length of the 
body ; the posterior thighs are thickened and very robust, being 
formed for leaping ; the nails are very much curved at their points, 
with a strong blunt tooth extending from beneath the base to the mid- 
dle ; the body is oval and convex. ‘These insects infest the olera- 
ceous plants, perforating their leaves with innumerable small holes. 
At the approach of the finger they leap with surprising agility. 
Many of them are minute. 
Their eggs are deposited on plants on which the larve are destin- 
ed to feed. The larve are elongated and furnished with six feet. 
When about to become pupe they fix themselves upon the leaves 
by means of a tubercle at the posterior extremity. The larva-skin 
is then thrown off, and remains in a mass beneath the tail of the pu- 
pa; and in about fifteen or twenty days more the last metamorphosis 
takes place, and the perfect insect makes its appearance. It con- 
ceals itself during the winter in some secure place, and survives the 
cold. 
The most destructive species in this vicinity is that which attacks 
the cucumber as soon as it comes from the ground. Supposing this 
to be an undescribed insect, I formerly named it Haltica cucumeris ; 
but Mr. Say subsequently informed me that it was the pubescens of 
Hliger. 
Another species, Haltica striolata, is found on cruciferous plants, 
such as the cress, the horse-radish, the mustard, turnip, &c. It is 
first seen early in May. During the night, and in rainy weather, it 
lodges itself in the ground. It is very pernicious to young plants, 
attacking them as soon as the seed-leaves or cotyledons expand. 
Dusting the plants with air-slacked lime, is useful in preventing 
the attacks of this and the preceding species. Watering plants, in- 
fested by them, with strong alkaline solutions, will kill the insects 
