84 
Observations on the various Insects 
even, and no doubt the same rule applies to agricultural produce ; 
and it is this additional tax laid upon the inhabitants of wanner 
latitudes which has led to the general study of entomology, and to 
a high value being set upon scientific acquirements even by their 
legislatures. * Ky importing foreign corn we also import foreign 
insects ; and as they are noi generally exposed to the changes of 
the climate when the corn is stored, especially in large masses, 
they live and multiply until an unusually severe winter or other 
casualties destroy them. It is very probable that some species 
may not be able to live for a single season in our climate, how- 
ever sheltered they jnay be, but others no doubt soon become 
naturalised. 
I have also long entertained an opinion that epidemics, vegetable 
blights as they are termed, and noxious as well as other insects, 
gradually progress from the south-east, taking a direction more 
or less to the west or north, until they meet with so severe a check 
from temperature, that they gradually decline in virulence and 
power, and eventually become extinct for a lesser or greater 
period. This is certainly the case with some insects, f and the 
first species that falls under our notice seems to be gradually tra- 
velling northward. It has not at present, I believe, made its 
appearance in this country, and it will be fortunate for us if it 
never does. 
BuTALis CEREALELLA — The little Com moth. 
The little moth I allude to, whose scientific name is Btitalis 
cerealella,X is called by the French " L'Alucita," or " Teigne des 
bles," or " Teigne des graines." It was first described by 
Reaumur ; and from the ravages it has committed, its course has 
been noticed with intense interest by French agriculturists up to 
* In France, Germany, and Belgium, local laws are from time to time 
enacted to enforce the destruction of insects; commissions have been ap- 
pointed to consider the best means of arresting evils arising from Tnsect 
agency : distinguished men have been deputed by the governments to 
visit districts suffering from the incursions of insects, and to report there- 
upon, and the publication of the most costly illustrated works has been the 
result. In many cases efficient plans have been devised for arresting the 
existing mischief, and in all cases the first step towards effecting any good 
has been secured, by the attainment of an accurate knowledge of the eco- 
nomy of the noxious insects. I beg to refer the reader for further information 
to Kirby and Spence's Introd. to Entom., vol. i. p. 171 and p. 4(), Cth ed. 
t The locust, for instance, which occasionally reaches our shores from 
the south of Russia : Sphinx Nerii, Curtis's Brit. Ent., fol. and pi. 626; 
the cockroach (Blatta Orientalis) ; and numerous insects which exist in 
collections, and have not been seen alive in this country for many years. 
X Alucila cereaklla, Oliv., Encyc. Method., vol. i. p. 121 ; (Ecophora 
rjrandla, Lat. ; Tinea ITordei, Kiiby and Spences Introd., vol. i. p. 174. 
