NEW VINE SCOURGE. 313 
roots. It is thought that the formation of those galls 
and the insects they contain is due to the agency of 
the winged Phylloxera. 
As we have seen, the Phylloxera has two different 
phases of life. It nearly always remains below the 
earth, though now and then a few individuals are 
liberated to the enjoyment of an existence in the open 
air. The subterranean life of the insect is well known, 
but not so that of the other form. It would, however, 
be very interesting and very useful if we could only 
ascertain precisely at what time of the year the trans- 
formation of the winged insect takes place, how long it 
remains alive, and upon what part of the vine or of the 
soil it has its abode. The various ways oi propagation 
in the Phylloxera, its origin, and the conditions most 
favourable for its development, should also be better 
known than they are. We might express a similar 
opinion with regard to the existence of the males and 
the period of fecundation. 
Let us hope that systematically and diligently prose- 
cuted biological studies will soon enlighten us upon 
these strange and momentous questions. It will 
perhaps be possible to destroy this insect, which is so 
very troublesome to get at during the time it lives 
underground, if we could only obtain a favourable 
chance of catching it on its excursions in the open air. 
Such are the conditions, then, under which the new 
vine disease manifests itself; and although from the 
time of its discovery a host of remedies have been 
suggested for it, as yet not one of them has proved 
thoroughly efficacious. Will some more active remedy 
be found ? Shall we— and it is not improbable— derive 
more benefit from those already tried ? We dare hope 
