120 



lOclobcr, 



Salix fragilis, L. 



* Abies communis, L. 



cinerea, L. 

 aurita, L. 

 caprea, L. 

 repens, L. 

 herbacea, L. 



? Juniperus communis, L. 



Taxus baccata. 



! Juncus, spec. 



? Triticum repens, L. 



Pteris aquilina, L. 



! Piuus syivestris, L. 



In conclusion, we may add that we shall be greatly obliged to any 

 observer who will kindly furnish us with notes respecting galls on any 

 of the plants marked " ! " or " ? " (also on plants not mentioned at all 

 in our list), either in the pages of the Magazine, or, still better, by 

 letter to either of us, so that the information may be incorporated in 

 our proposed Catalogue in its proper place ; and if such communication 

 can be accompanied by specimens of the gall or insect, or both, we shall 

 feel doubly obliged. 

 August, 1868. 



Ohservations on the habits and t/ranfor)nations of Hylesinus ci'enatus, H.fraxini and 

 H. vittatus. — As the above mentioned species occur plentifully in this district, I 

 have been induced from time to time to make notes of their habits in their earlier 

 stages ; which notes, without any claim beyond original observation, may possibly 

 interest others, as they have interested me. I am quite aware that the ceconomy 

 of these insects has been elaborated by both Continental aud English authors. 



Most Entomologists are, of course, well acquainted with the fact that the 

 perfect insect of the species of Hylesinus forms a burrow or gallery in the cambium 

 layer of the bark of recently fallen trees, along the sides of which the eggs are 

 deposited ; the larvae feeding in the inner bark during the ensuing months, whilst 

 it still retains a modified vitality, and completing their metamorphosis in, time to 

 renew the same cycle the ensuing year. They form their burrows transversely to 

 the fibres of the tree, but the species of most of the other genera of the family 

 form them parallel with the fibre. The larvae, starting at right angles to the parent 

 burrow, form theirs in the reverse direction, or nearly so ; their increase in size 

 making them diverge from each other and producing rather a fan-shaped marking. 



The two species to which I have directed most attention, Hylesinus crenatus 

 and H. Jraxini, are attached to the ash (Fraxinus excelsior) . The other species, 

 Hylesinus vittaius, is attached to the elm, and is fairly abundant in this district. It 

 is difl&cult, however, to say of any species of the Xylophaga whether it be abundant 

 or not ; as, however, difficult it may be to find it, when found, it is almost certain 

 to be in some numbers. Thus, though H. crenatus is a somewhat scarce species, I 

 could have taken it last winter in almost unlimited numbers. H. jraxini is, never- 

 theless, an undoubtedly abundant species. At this season (May 22) it may be 

 found on any recently felled ash timber, busily engaged in oviposition, appearing 

 very decidedly to prefer recently fallen timber to the gi'owing tree, and even 

 attacking wood that has been cut many months. Early in May the perfect beetles 



