affecting the Peas and Beans. 
ihpv were committino: their ravages, in order to convince my neigh- 
bours what ihoy were indebted to for the loss of their crops. At this 
time of the year they are readily enough obtained, as the peas, 
beans, and other Papilionaceous plants often swarm with them. 
I have a field of peas that does so at this time, the remaining 
leaves of which they have completely riddled ; and when a person 
walks in amongst tliem you may hear a pattering like rain upon 
the leaves, occasioned by their dropping down. I last year 
sowed a small piece of lucern in July, that was untouched by 
them : now, whether at that time they are absent, or whether there 
is anv interval between a first and second brood of them, would 
be very desirable to know, as we might then perhaps steal a 
inarch upon them." 
Two years previous to this, viz., the 15th of September, 1841, 
Mr; William Trenchard transmitted me the following instructive 
observations from Marsh Farm, near Sherborne, Dorsetshire, 
which carry forward the economy of the Weevils several weeks 
later: — " Walking along the headland of a field of broad-clover, 
from whence the barley had been carried about a fortnight, I was 
surprised to see that throughout, for the width of four or five 
yards from the hedge, the plant was very much injured, and in 
many parts quite destroyed, fi om having been bitteri apparently 
by some insect. Nearly every leaf was eaten round the edjjes, 
and so deeply were they indented, that those parts of the leaf not 
eaten are withered from the sap not being able to ascend. 
Curious to know by what animal such ravages could have been 
made (for 1 suppose the headland is more than half an acre), I 
examined the clover to discover the depredator, but for a Ion? 
lime unsuccessfully, until at length having stood quite still and 
watched the leaves intently for a considerable time, I ascertained 
that it was done by a number of small brown Beetles, which im- 
mediately, on moving near, hid themselves by getting under the 
leaves, and on a nearer approach they let go their hold altogether, 
and fell to the ground as if dead, but immediately recovered and 
crept among the roots of the clover, where they remained until all 
was again quiet. Being so exceedingly shy, it was a long time 
before I could see any of them actually eating, but by persever- 
ance I eventually succeeded in observing several. They attack 
the edge of the leaf, holding it steady between their legs, whilst 
they eat down from top to bottom like a Silkworm. To give 
some idea of their numbers, when I moved the clover with my 
hand or foot, they fell off by dozens." On the 14lh of October, Mr. 
Trenchard again wrote to say that since his last communication 
" the Beetles have considerably extended their depredations in the 
field alluded to; but I do not see they have done any injury in 
the other fields, though in every one of broad-clover there are 
