54 
places around Nottingham. I also exhibit some bits of 
oak branches from Dunham mined by Scolytus intricatus , 
and a few other species of wood-boring coleoptera found 
in this neighbourhood, with portions of wood attacked by 
them. 
Scolytus destructor, the species which has been so destruc- 
tive to elm trees near London and Paris, is not common 
here, probably in some measure because TJlmus campestris 
is not one of our common trees. 
To the entomologist the investigation of the specific differ- 
ences, the habits and instincts, and the peculiar conforma- 
tion of these creatures to adapt them to their mode of life, 
are sources of great pleasure, but he is at the same time 
more impressed with the enormous amount of damage they 
inflict than an ordinary observer, and also with the want of 
knowledge of those who are interested in the preservation 
of our woods and forests. It may happen that the removal 
of a tree, or even a branch, when attacked by a particular 
species, may save a forest, but it must be done at the proper 
time, so as to destroy the insects with it before they can 
escape to propagate their species, and it certainly ought to 
be part of a qualification for a forester or park keeper 
that he should know the life history of these wood-boring 
beetles and the plans that have been adopted for their 
destruction. 
