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PSYLLIDJE. 
1. The Sugar Lerp (Psylla Eucalypti), whose laivse cover the leaves of several 
species of Eucalyptus with their white woolly shells, was first described by Dobson 
from Tasmania in 1851. It is now placed in Spondyliaspis. As it is the species which 
first brought Lerp (a term which has come to be more or less generic) into prominence 
in the scientific world, some notes concerning it are presented at this place. 
The substance is produced by the operation of this insect on Eucalyptus dumosa 
A. Cunn., and other species. This Lerp-manna consists of threads from this insect 
exuded in a syrup-like state through the rings of the body and plastered together in a 
sort of web in which the insect passes its chrysalis state. 
2. Following is an important early paper : 
Thomas Anderson, M.D. " On a new kind of manna from New South Wales." 
Edin. New Philosoph. Journ., July, 1849. Reprinted in Papers and Proc. R.S. V.D. 
Land, Vol. i, 241, 1851. This gives an account of lerp received from the north-western 
part of Victoria which he analysed. He refers to Dr. Thomson's work on the manna of 
E. mwmifera (rubida). 
Lerp is different from manna, and possesses a regularly organised structure. It 
is, in the typical form, from a Mallee, Eucalyptus dumosa. Mr. Cay, who found the 
material, said " Lerp is very sweet, and is formed by an insect on the leaves of gum- 
trees ; in size and appearance like a flake of snow, it feels like matted wool, and tastes 
like the ice on a wedding-cake." He gives further interesting local notes concerning 
it, and quotes Westgarth's Australia Felix, p. 73, and says that this is the only published 
notice he has seen of this substance, and points out that it is different in external 
appearance and composition from all previously described forms of manna. 
: ' Ueber eine neue Maimasorte aus Neu Slid Wales," Journ. fur prakt. Chemie, 
xlvii, 449, is a translation of Dr. Anderson's work. 
3. T. Dobson. " On Laap or Lerp, the cup-like coverings of Psyllideae found 
on the leaves of certain Eucalypti." Proc. R.S. V.D. Land, Vol. i, Pt. iii, 235 (1851) 
(with two plates). Descriptions and drawings of several species of Psyllidae found in 
Tasmania. This is an entomological paper. It refers to Dr. Anderson's paper and 
amends it only slightly. 
The following papers may also be referred to. 
4. T. West. " A brief description of a singular insect production found in some 
parts of Australia." Sydney Magazine of Science and Art, i, 75 (1858). An account 
of Lerp or Laap. 
5. D. Hanbury. " Minor notes on the materia tnedica of the International 
Exhibition (London, 1862)." Pharm. Journ. (2), iv, 107. A description of Eucalyptus 
manna, and Australian Insect manna called Lerp, is given amongst references to other 
substances. 
