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THE HE TER OP TER A . 
Several other species, such as the Polish Soaelet Grain ( Coccus polonicus ), and the 
Kermes ( Coccus mcis ), are also valuable to colorists, and impart a very fine scarlet to sub- 
stances treated with them, although the hues are not equal to those obtained from the cochineal. 
The latter of these insects was known both to the Greeks and Romans, and was used by them 
for the purpose of obtaining the purple dyes which were so much worn by the higher classes. 
The Lao Insect {Coccus laced), is another member of this most useful genus. This species 
resides in India and the hotter parts of Asia. It is found attached to the twigs of trees, and 
is then called stick-lac, the shell-lac being the waxen secretion purified and shaped into thin, 
shell-like plates. 
The Grape Phylloxera (P. mtifolice) is the most destructive of the Aphides. Though first 
characterized in Europe, North America seems to be the home of the genus, for, while there 
are but two well-defined species so far known in Europe, sixteen distinct species are found in 
various parts of the United States. They are gall-inhabiting creatures. For a long period 
the Phylloxera was only an object of interest to the naturalist ; but, five or six years since, the 
Grape Phylloxera came suddenly to be a creature of great concern to the public. Indeed, this 
species has become so prominent that it is entitled the Phylloxera, though fifteen other species 
are known. It is found from Canada to the Gulf States, and east of the Rocky Mountains. 
Early in the history of the grape culture in the United States, the gall- making type was 
observed on the leaves of certain varieties, particularly on the Clinton, and in 1856 this was 
briefly described by Dr. Fitch, State Entomologist of New York, by the name Pemphegus mti- 
folice. The more normal root-inhabiting type was not suspected, however, until it was dis- 
covered by Prof. Riley, of Washington, in 1871. A kind of grape-root disease began to show 
itself in France, where the grape interest is of vast importance. Large sums were offered by 
the government. It was found eventually that it was the identical species that is indigenous 
on American vines, and that it was imported into France from America, probably during our 
civil war, on our vines sent to French nurserymen. It presents two forms or types, the root- 
eating and the gall-inhabiting. The insect is about a sixteenth of an inch in length. The 
appearance of the vine-roots, after being infested, is that of a collection of young potatoes 
just formed. There seems no practical remedy for the vines already affected. The only ser- 
viceable practice is to substitute new vines ; and though America furnished the enemy, yet it 
is found that the American vines resist the pest much better than those of France. Conse- 
quently, the vineyards of the Old World are being replanted by vines shipped from our 
American vineyards. The Cunningham, Norton’s Virginia, Clinton, Concord, Taylor, are 
preferred. Those especially preferred are of the species cestiralis , as Herbmont, Cynthiania. 
The French have now learned to appreciate our vines, when formerly they scorned the idea of 
importing them. American grape culture, meantime, is advancing favorably from this com- 
munication of the culturists of both countries. 
HETEROPTERA. 
The insects belonging to the large and important order which is placed next to the 
Homoloptera, are readily known by several conspicuous characteristics. The wings are four 
in number, and the front pair are very peculiar in their structure, the basal portion being 
horny, like the elytra of beetles, and the remaining portion membranous, like the hinder 
wings of the same insects. In some species, however, the wings are wanting, as in the common 
Bed-bug {Cimex lectularius ) . The body is always much flattened, the mouth is beak-like, 
and in the pupal stage the creature is active and resembling the perfect insect, except in its 
want of wings. 
As the space which can be devoted to the remaining insects is extremely limited, it will 
be merely possible to give a brief sketch of the different families. 
