Chap. XII.] 



THE COFFEE-BUG. 



441 



them. Two-thirds of the crop is lost, and on many 

 trees not a single berry forms. 



This Lecanium, or a very closely allied species, has 

 been observed in the Botanic Garden at Peradenia, on 

 the Citrus acida, Psidium porniferum, Myrtus Zey- 

 lanica, Rosa Indica, Gareya arborea, Vitex Negundo, 

 and other plants. The coffee coccus has generally been 

 first observed in moist, hollow places sheltered from the 

 wind ; and thence it has spread itself even over the 

 driest and most exposed parts of the island. On some 

 estates, after attaining a maximum, it has generally 

 declined, but has shown a liability to reappear, espe- 

 cially in low sheltered situations, and it is believed to 

 prevail most extensively in wet seasons. "While in its 

 earlier stages, it is easily transmitted from one estate 

 to another, on the clothes of human beings, and in 

 various other ways, which will readily suggest them- 

 selves. Dr. Gardner, after a careful consideration and 

 minute examination of estates, arrived at the conclusion, 

 that all remedies suggested up to that time had utterly 

 failed, and that none at once cheap and effectual was 

 likely to be discovered. He seems also to have been of 

 opinion that the insect was not under human control ; 

 and that even if it should disappear, it would only be 

 when it should have worn itself out as other blights 

 have been known to do in some mysterious way. Whe- 

 ther this may prove to be the case or not, is still very 

 uncertain, but every thing observed by Dr. Gardner 

 tends to indicate the permanency of the pest. 



