Part III.] Stebbing and James : On the Barfc-horing Beetles of Zhob. 251 
that the trees so treated should be examined during the summer of 1908 
to see whether the bark gradually dries outward from the burnt portion. 
If this is the case it will most probably be found that the beetles will 
choose these spots to deposit their eggs during 1908. 
In examining the forest for infested trees Captain James alludes to 
the fact that all trees found healthy were ‘ blazed.’ This was a most 
unfortunate method of marking them since bark beetles invariably seek 
out wounds on trees in the neighbourhood of which to lay their eggs in 
preference to boring straight through iminjured bark. 
I would suggest that if possible during 1908 the neighbouring forests 
of Sherghali and Spiraghar should be systematically examined for the pest 
as the excellent work carried out at Shinghar will be of little use if neigh- 
bouring infected centres are left untreated. 
The fourth species of beetle alluded to by Captain James, of which 
specimens have been sent to me, consists of a species of longicorn beetle, 
family Cerambycidce. The larvae of this beetle tunnel both into the 
bast layer of the tree and into the timber. A member of the family, 
Molesthes sartus, is the now well-known Quetta Borer, whilst another, 
Batocera rubus^ is a pest of the fig tree in Baluchistan. 
The exact danger of this beetle, a species of the genus Stromatium 
closely allied to Stromatium barbalum, to the Chilgoza Forests of Zhob has 
yet to be ascertained. I saw evidences of its attacks during my visit to the 
forest and obtained larvae, but in the absence of beetles the determination 
of the insect was impossible. I may remark, however, that these longicorn 
beetles follow in the wake of the Scolytid bark borers and in all probability 
usually only lay their eggs in trees already successfully attacked by the 
Polygraphus beetle and its companions. Thus whilst they doubtless assist 
to some extent in killing the tree, they cannot be considered as either 
the originator of the attack upon it or as the direct cause of its death. I 
shall trust to deal with this insect in a subsequent note when further 
observations on its life history have been made. 
