410 
Observations on the various Insects 
to form any opinion as to the simultaneous or periodical appear- 
ance of the different species ; and with regard to these Weevils, 
all that can be stated is, that certain seasons seem to favour their 
multiplication, and others to check it. It is evident that if not 
checked there is not a crop, whether in the field or garden, that 
■would escape destruction ; and this check, probably in every in- 
stance, might be traced to the agency of other insects, especially 
parasitic species, which I have so often shown are destined to the 
service of man. I have already alluded to the universal spread 
of these Weevils in 1844 ; I well remember that in April and 
May I could not find a jiea-field where the lower leaves of some 
plants were not eroded, the beans were equally marked ; and Mr. 
Webb * in his letter said, " it is not only incredible that this little 
beetle should be capable of doing so much mischief, but it is sin- 
gular that for the seven previous years I had never failed in pro- 
ducing crops of peas in the garden of Sir Wdliam Horne." 
Ignorant as we are of the early stages of these Weevils, the 
only remedies we can at present apply will be in destroying or 
annoying them in their beetle state, and from their horny shells 
and power of contracting and protecting their members, it is 
difficult to find any application that will extirpate them without 
injuring the plant. For the garden, I should recommend the 
tarring or painting two strips of canvas, and placing one on each 
side of a row of peas early in the mornmg, and two or three hours 
after, by shaking the plants, the Weevils would fall down and be 
held fast by the adhesive surface. This might be repeated 
several times eacli day, until it woidd be seen that their numbers 
were sufficiently reduced to secure the crop. Of course the 
painting or tarring must be repeated whenever it is too dry to fix 
the objects falling down. 
Neither soot, wood-ashes, nor lime will injure the Weevils, we 
are informed and can readily believe ; yet by dusting over the peas 
early in the morning with any or all of these powders, whilst the 
leaves are damp, their food will be rendered so unpalatable that 
the enemy will be driven to forage elsewhere ; and if a row of 
peas were sown near, which was left undusted, the beetles would 
resort thither, and when it was clear by the ei'osion of the leaves 
that the plague was congregated there, boiling water poured 
along the line would eradicate them, and thus the principal 
sowinj; mi<>ht be saved ; or the taned canvas mi<rht be most 
efficiently employed, if that plan were preferred. Mr. Baker has 
found harrowing or hoeing beneficial when a field of peas is 
attacked by the Weevils. It should be done whilst the dew is 
upon them, that the earth may adhere and make the plants un- 
* Vido p. 2, antcccdt'iit. 
