80 
COLEOPTERA. 
the tumor whence they sprung. It is worthy of remark, 
that they are sure to appear on these warts in due time, and 
that they are never found on any other part of the tree. 
Insects are often found in the warts of the plum-tree, as 
well as in those of the cherry-tree. The larvae of a minute 
Cynips^ or gall-fly, are said to inhabit them,* but have never 
fallen mider my observation. The naked caterpillars of a 
minute moth are very common in the warts of the plum- 
tree, in which also are sometimes found other insects, among 
them little grubs from which genuine plum-weevils have been 
raised. This is a very interesting fact in the economy of 
the plum-weevil. It may be questioned, however, whether 
it be a mere mistake of instinct that leads the curculio to 
lay its eggs in the warts of the plum-tree, or a special pro¬ 
vision of a wise Providence to secm’e thereby a succession 
of the species in unfruitful seasons. 
The following, among other remedies that have been sug¬ 
gested, may be found useful in checking the ravages of the 
plum-weevil. Let the trees be briskly shaken or suddenly 
jarred every morning and evening during the time that the 
insects appear in the beetle form, and are engaged in laying 
their eggs. When thus disturbed, they contract their legs 
and fall; and, as they do not immediately attempt to fly or 
crawl aAvay, they may be caught in a sheet spread under 
the tree, from which they should be gathered into a large 
wide-mouthed bottle, or other tight vessel, and be thrown 
into the fire. Keeping the fruit covered with a coat of 
whitewash, which is to be applied with a syringe as often 
as necessary, has been much recommended of late to repel 
the attacks of the curculio. A little glue, added to the 
whitewash, causes it to stick better and last longer. We 
may succeed by this remedy in securing a crop of plums ; 
but as we cannot apply it to cherries and apples, they will 
be sure to suffer more than ever, and hence no check will 
* Schweinitz, Synopsis Fungorum ; in Transactions of the American Philo¬ 
sophical Society, Philadelphia, New Series, Vol. IV. p. 204. 
