7 



(32.) Ceroplastes ceriferus, Anders. (The Indian Wax Scale.) 

 Diagnosis. — A large species, with very thick wax, not divided into 

 plates. The wax of adjacent specimens often runs together. If the 

 wax is removed, the scale is seen to present at one end a long horn or 

 spine. 



Distribution. — Described in the last century from India ; now known 

 also from Mexico, Antigua and Australia. The Antigua specimens, 

 found by Mr. Barber, were referred to the C. cassice of Chavannes, 

 which was first described from Brazil in 1848. So far as can be judged 

 from present information, it seems that this identification was correct, 

 cassice being a synonym of ceriferus. 



Food-plants, — Bursera gummifera in Antigua ; elsewhere on Melaleuca 

 hypericifolia, Myrica cerifera i Celastrus ceriferus, Malvaviscus a^boreus, 

 M. acerifolius, Terminalia arjuna, &c. 



Destructiveness —From its large size, gregarious habit, and various 

 food-plants, it is not unlikely to prove troublesome. 



Utility. — This insect produces the Indian White Wax of commerce. 

 In Spon's Encyclopaedia, Vol. II. (1882) p. 2,045 we read that " though 

 an article of undoubted value, it would perhaps scarcely repay ex- 

 penditure of European time and capital ; but the natives might surely 

 render its cultivation a very profitable undertaking." 



(33.) Ceroplastes albolineatus, Ckll. (The thick Wax Scale.) 



Diagnosis. — Not so large as the last, but resembling it in its thick 

 coating of wax ; the wax in fact, is as thick as the breadth of the insect it 

 encloses. When the wax is removed, it is seen that the horn at one 

 end is quite rudimentary, whereas in ceriferus it is very large. 



Distribution. — Only known from Kingston, Jamaica. 



Food-plants. — On some ornamental plant, the leaves of which are 

 green above and pinkish-purple below. I did not find the scale in Ja- 

 maica, and the only specimens I have seen were forwarded to me by 

 Professor Townsend. I suppose it not unlikely that the insect was in- 

 troduced into Jamaica, although not at present known fron anywhere 

 else. 



Destructiveness. — Probably quite injurious if occurring in numbers. 



(34.) Ceroplastes idilis, Ckll (The Grand Turk Wax-scale.) 



Diagnosis. — Gregarious on twigs, the wax of the several individuals 

 running together ; so that the twig is actually surrounded, as the wick 

 of a candle is, with wax. 



Distribution. — Only known from the Island of Grand Turk, discover- 

 ed by Dr. Strachan. 



Food-plants. — On a tree or bush with brownish-grey bark and small 

 entire or slightly crenate leaves with oblique bases. It is very much to 

 be desired that this plant should be identified. 



Utility. — I am not aware that any use has ever been made of this 

 insect, but if it is abundant at Grand Turk, it might surely be made a 

 source of wax, for local use if not for export. It produces much more 

 wax than the Indian species. 



The following table may assist in the determination of the West In- 

 : dian wax-scales : — 



(A.) Wax so abundant as to surround twig, that of all the individuals 

 rrunning together C. utilis- 



(B.) Wax not so abundant, but persistent to old age. 



