116 



THE ELM, 



the end of May, in the year following that in 

 which the eggs were deposited. The injury 

 thus inflicted by the grubs is so much greater 

 than that occasioned by the perfect insect, that, 

 when the former have commenced their ravages, 

 the tree cannot be saved from destruction, and 

 the only alternative is to cut it down and to 

 burn every particle of bark. But when a tree 

 is attacked by the perfect insect, it may be saved 

 by being carefully brushed over with coal-tar, the 

 smell of which is so offensive that the insects 

 will desert it, and in the course of a few years it 

 may recover its healthy condition. Had this dis- 

 covery been made and acted upon at an earlier 

 period, it is probable that an immense number of 

 trees in the promenades of several of the principal 

 cities of Europe, including from twenty to thirty 

 in St. James's Park, might have been saved. 



In the second volume of Kerby and Spence's 

 Entomology," p. 478 — 480, is given the history 

 of a minute moth which feeds on the leaves of 

 the Elm, and in the construction of its moveable 

 dwelling displays an instinct closely approaching 

 reason. The passage is too long to quote, but it 

 will be found well worthy of perusal, as shewing 

 that the insect is not guided by a blind undevi- 

 ating instinct, but varies its operations according 

 to the materials which it has within reach, at one 

 time sewing its mantle together with silk, at an- 

 other availing itself of the natural union between 

 the upper and under surface of the leaf. 



The Elm retains its foliage till late in the au- 

 tumn, the leaves assuming a rich yellow hue some 

 time before they fall from the tree. If examined 

 closely at the season, they will be found to be 



