170 THE HOT-HOUSE. [Feb. 
draw out the nutritious juices themselves, but also destroy the tubes 
through which they flow. The upper parts of the leaves being 
thus deprived of their nourishment, consequently die. But these 
insects do not attack the roots, as has been frequently asserted. 
3. The white mealy ckimson-tinged Insect. This insect, 
as well as the former, I have not found to be noticed by naturalists. 
This species also has all the characters of a Coccus, but in all 
probability belongs to another genus. For whereas the two former 
species are undoubtedly oviparous, this seems to be viviparous. 
It is most probable that the young ones remain some time in the 
mealy down of the mother till they have acquired strength, and 
are arrived at such a degree of perfection, as to enable them to sup- 
port themselves, when they forsake the parent insect, and disperse 
to different parts of the plant. 
When this species is first perceived on the leaves of the Pine, it 
appears to be nothing more than small particles of meal or powder, 
collected together; but in a few days it assumes the form of a louse 
or bug, thickly covered with a fine meal or down, of an oval form 
on its upper, and very fiat on its under side, from whence proceed 
its legs, which are six in number. These, as well as many other 
particulars in the above, and preceding descriptions, are not to be 
distinguished without the help of glasses. 
The last described species, is of a more pernicious nature than 
the former; it attacks every part of the plant, from the top of its 
fruit, even to the most extreme parts of its roots. These animals 
wedge themselves in between the protuberances of the fruit, in a 
most surprising manner, so as not to be got out without difficulty, 
which not only makes the fruit appear very unsightly when it 
becomes ripe; but by robbing it of its nutritious juices, is the cause 
also of its wanting flavour and being ill tasted. 
But the bad effects of this species on the roots of the plants, are 
yet of a far worse consequence; for there, even at the bottom of the 
pots, they increase with an uncommon degree of rapidity, so as soon 
to become very numerous, and in the end to destroy the principal 
roots of the plants. 
There have been various methods used for the extirpation of these 
insects, such as shifting the plants and washing their roots; decoc- 
tions from tobacco, wormwood, walnut leaves, henbane, and other 
herbs of a bitter or poisonous quality. Some have added to the 
above, snuff, sulphur and pepper. These and many other remedies 
have been tried to very little purpose; at length Mr. Wm. Speedily, 
then Gardener to the Duke of Portland, England, discovered and 
recommended in his excellent treatise on the culture of the Pine- 
Apple, the following receipt, which he asserts, " for the destruction 
of these insects, had never failed him; its efficacy being confirmed 
by nine years experience." 
THE RECEIPT. 
Take one pound of Quicksilver; fiut it into a glazed vessel, and 
pour upon it one gallon of boiling water, which let stand till it becomes 
