i9io.] 



Edible and Poisonous Fungi. 



919 



Theobald, when examining the allotments at Tilbury, 

 noticed the large Seven-spotted Lady-bird (Coccinella septem- 

 punctata) in considerable numbers both in the adult and larval 

 stages. The larvae were seen in one instance devouring the 

 eggs of the Colorado beetle, and when placed in a box with 

 some ate them ravenously. Thus in the short space of time 

 in which this potato pest existed in this country it found one 

 natural enemy, which, on account of its ravenous nature, 

 would materially check its increase. A single female Colorado 

 beetle, however, is said to be capable of producing from 500 to 

 1,000 eggs. 



Treatment. — In America an infestation is controlled by 

 jarring the beetles off the plants into vessels containing 

 paraffin. This method is very useful, as a large number of 

 beetles are frequently to be found feeding together on the 

 same plant. The pest is chiefly combated, however, by the 

 use of arsenical sprays, arsenate of lead and Paris green both 

 proving very effective. 



The pest has appeared from time to time in Great Britain, 

 but has always been exterminated. It was made the subject 

 of legislation in 1877 D y the Destructive Insects Act, and is 

 included among the insects scheduled under the Destructive 

 Insects and Pests Order of 1908. This Order requires the 

 occupier of any premises on which the insect is discovered 

 to notify the fact to the Board with particulars of the time 

 and place of discovery, under a penalty not exceeding ten 

 pounds. It also renders it illegal to sell or expose or offer 

 for sale, without the written permission of the Board, any 

 live specimen of the Colorado Beetle. Copies of the Order 

 may be obtained on application. 



EDIBLE AND POISONOUS FUNGI. 



Contrary to popular belief, the poisonous kinds of fungi 

 are comparatively few in number, while there are on the other 

 hand some fifty species of fungi which may quite safely 

 be eaten. In order to recognise with certainty these different 

 kinds, it is necessary, however, to know the special features 

 possessed by each species which separate it from all others. 

 The rule-of-thumb signs for discriminating between edible 



