30 
we perceive is partially inclined to “ follow in the footsteps—” &c. 
In his volume of the present year, (p. 152,) the subjoined para- 
graph occurs. “In the Farmer’s Dictionary, it is recommended 
“to seed early,” as a preventive against injury from the wheat- 
fly.” Far be it from us to accuse our esteemed friend of misquot- 
ing his author. But if he will look again into the work alluded 
to, he will read under the title, “ wheat midge or fly,” that “ early 
or late sowing will do little towards saving a crop; ” whilst un- 
der the name “Hessian fly, occurs the unquestionably bad advice 
to “ sow early.”, 
The scientific name, Cecidomyia destructor, bestowed upon this 
species by Mr. Say, is the only one belonging to it, neither the 
name Tipula tritici, nor Tipula vaginalis tritici having any le- 
gitimate claims to be retained as synonyms. Mr. Say’s name 
might at first view be thought liable to criticism, as being in no 
wise distinctive, many other species of Cecidomyians being also 
destroyers. Yet this species is so preéminent in that particular, 
as to throw the injuries inflicted by each of the others quite in 
the back ground. We hence think it will be conceded that the 
name is signally appropriate. Placed beside it, all its kindred 
are mere depredators—this alone is THE destroyer. 
Its Characters, Transformations, and Habits. 
As a general rule, the Hessian fly passes regularly through two 
generations annually. The first of these occupies the autumn, 
winter, and fore part of the spring, and is reared at the roots of 
the young grain, slightly below the surface of the ground. The 
other; or, in other words, that the common names should in all cases ‘where 
practicable, be translations of the technical names. Cecidomyia tritici, liter 
ally rendered in English, is gall-fly of the wheat; but inasmuch as this species 
does not produce galls, there is an obvious impropriety in retaining that word. 
Wheat-fly thus becomes the most direct translation of the technical name, that 
the habits of the insect admit of. No one will maintain that wheat-midge is 
a translation. 
But, inasmuch as the name /ly is bestowed upon such a vast host of in- 
sects, of different families, and even different orders, we by no means disap- 
prove of the attempt of recent English writers to bring the word midye into 
current use, as a generic or family term for all the minute species of Tipulide. 
