affecting the Corn- Crops. 
491 
of course, very rigid, and one had passed over a grain which was 
impressed with a small channel; in another the calyx of the basal 
grain was perforated with a small hole (fig.p), which had ren- 
dered it abortive, unless the corn had been consumed. As the 
channel had passed over one of the calyces, wliere it was much 
narrower than below, and the kernels swelled, the line of connexion 
was interrupted. Such were my first impressions, but, after recon- 
sidering these appearances, I have come to the conclusion that the 
egg is deposited so that it may hatch when the ear is but just 
formed, and by then feeding on one side, the channel in the stalk 
is only the scar, which is elongated as the plant grows; if this be 
the case, my first theory is incorrect : but to show how carefully 
one nmst proceed, I may mention that the specimens of wheat 
above alluded to were carefully preserved in a closed box, and on 
re-examining them lately, I saw one of the stems had not been 
opened, and on splitting it a great quantity of white excrement 
fell out, which puzzled me greatly ; but on proceeding in my 
search, I found that the canal terminated in one of the glumes, 
and there, to my surprise and satisfaction, I discovered a little beetle 
(the Anobium paniceurn)* which had been feeding on the soft inter- 
nal lining of the straw, with others which had escaped, and they 
were the cause of this unexpected and casual injury. 
On the 16th of August, 1841, I bred the fly Chlorops tccniopus 
from one of the pupaj in the stems; the others produced pa- 
rasites, of which I shall speak heieafter. 
The same fly attacks the barley also, but apparently at an 
earlier period, for on the 2nd of last July I received two plants 
from Sarsden, which were rank, and looked green and healthy, 
but, on unfolding the leaves, I found the central ones yellow, dead, 
and eaten, and the stem destroyed. Within an inch of the joint 
was enclosed a brown, shining pupa, like fig. 26, but smaller; in 
the other a similar one, but an inch or two higher up, and ad- 
hering to (he inside of one of the outer leaves: iu this plant the 
young ear of barley was eaten and become brown at the extre- 
mity. It was stated by my correspondent that in his neighbour- 
hood not a yard of any of the barley- fields was free from this dis- 
ease. About three weeks after, he sent me a larger supply of 
infected plants, which had a rank and gouty appearance ; and in- 
formed me that the disease was first detected when the barley 
began to shoot or stool ; and when one stalk was infected, the re- 
mainder of the shoots on the same stool appeared stunted. I do 
not think any stalk with a maggot in it will ever throw out an 
ear." And of this I am also convinced ; for in every instance 
the stalk was eaten, often nearly through, and the tender grain 
* Vide Cintis's Brit. Ent., fol. and pi. 387; and his Guide, genus 290. 
