June 189.).] 



INJURIOUS INSECTS AND FUNGL 



47 



There were at least three species of " thousand legs " at work 

 on various crops, but those chiefly iu evidence are figured above, 

 viz., Julus guttatus (Figs 1 and \a), called by Curtis the 

 " snake " millepede and the " beautiful snake " millepede ; and 

 Polydesmus complanatus (Figs. 2 and 2a), termed by Curtis 

 the " flattened millepede." The former belongs to the genus 

 Jidus of the Julidce. It is of an ash grey colour, and has rows 

 of crimson spots upon each side of its body. The latter, belong- 

 ing to the genus Polydesmus, has a lilac hue which is somewhat 

 lighter under the body. These creatures are propagated by 

 eggs, and, according to Curti«^, they do not become full grown 

 until they are two years old. 



" Thousand-legs " were also noticed in quantities at the roots 

 of lettuces and peas which were plainlj^ suffering from their 

 attacks. 



It has been found that a mixture of soot and lime, in the 

 proportion of 1 bushel of soot to 3 bushels of liuie, is useful in 

 ihe case of oats, barley, peas, and other field and garden crops, 

 and kainit of potash, at the rate of 4 cwt. per acre. In infested 

 peas the dressing was sown broadcast and hoed in. Ground 

 rape-cake, rape dust, was found useful in infested oats and barle}^ 



Traps of pieces of mangel wurzel, or potato, or carrot, put 

 close to the infested hop stocks were found of much value both 

 for trapping " thousand-legs " as well as for wireworms. Both 

 of these insects are attracted by the juiciness of the baits and 

 collect upon them in quantities. The traps should be examined 

 from time to time, and the " thousand-legs " brushed off and 

 destroyed. 



Carbon bisulphide would be equally efficacious against thou- 

 sand-legs as against wireworms if it could be applied properly, 

 by means of suitable in jectors. 



It is difl[icult to account for the great al)undance of " thousand- 

 legs," as well as of wireworms, this season, unless it be that the 

 wet summer of 1894 favoured their development. It is clear 

 that they can withstand the action of severe cold, after the 

 Arctic weather of the last winter. 



