221 
which might partially succeed in burrowing below 
the surface, might either be deterred from con- 
tinuing to labour or depositing their eggs above 
the true soil ; this dressing should be left until no 
more of the Beetles are seen, it then might be 
removed, and all apprehension for the succeeding 
j'ear dispelled.” 
I would just remark, that the former method 
of gathering by hand strikes me to be much pre- 
ferable to the latter mode recommended, which ap- 
peal's to be a most laborious and disagreeable method, 
and cannot be adopted extensively W'ith propriety. 
We are left, no doubt unintentionally, in the 
dark respecting what steps are to be taken to 
destroy the eggs and insects, when the materials 
ai'e gathered from the ground ; they, I suppose, 
are intended to be removed with the lime or cinders, 
after the parental office is accomplished. If 
they are to be left to hatch in those materials, I 
should be afraid the larvae would contrive some 
way or other to procure support that would bring 
them to perfection. 
The Earth-Worm, (Lumbricus .) — There 
are numei’ous species of this genus. Their gene- 
ral habits are familiar to most people. It is well 
known that dewy, rainy, and dull w'eather is most 
suitable to their different processes. We shall 
find them to be most prevalent in strong wet soils, 
owing to their retaining moisture longer than those 
of a gravelly, sandy, or stoney nature. In hot 
weather, as w'ell as in intense frost, they retire 
