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80 
usually done, the philosophy of the thing, so that we may work 
understanding^ and therefore effectually. 
The blasted appearance of the foliage of the rose bushes is the 
work of a little soft, green worm, scarcely noticeable without close 
inspection, on account of its similarity of color to that ot the leaves 
on which it rests. This insect is generally known as the Rose- 
slug. It is the larva of a small Hymenopterous or wasp-like in¬ 
sect, scientifically named the Selandria Itosce' 
In conversing with people upon this subject, I have found that 
many are acquainted with the insect, but very few know anything 
of those peculiarities in its habits upon which its successful treat¬ 
ment depends. If we only hastily examine a rose bush which is 
infested with these worms, we shall be very likely to fail to dis¬ 
cover the agents of the mischief, for the reason that, like the ma¬ 
jority of caterpillars, they are night-feeders, and conceal them¬ 
selves during the day from their enemies, and from the heat of 
the sun, by retiring to the under side of the leaves. When we 
examine the damaged leaves more closely, we find that it is only 
the upper cuticle of the leaf that is eaten off*; and yet, at the time 
when we usually look for them, they are upon the under side of 
the leaves—all of which is easily explained in accordance with 
their habits. They rest during the day upon the under side of 
the leaves, and reserve their appetites for their noctural foraging 
visits upon the upper surface. 
It is evident from this brief statement that whatever applica¬ 
tions are made use of for the purpose of destroying these insects, 
must be made in the evening after they have exposed themselves 
upon the upper side of the leaves. I regret that I did not take 
pains, at the proper season, to determine more particularly at 
what time in the evening they come upon the upper surface, and 
also at what time in the morning they retire. This, however, 
any one can easily determine for himself. If it should appear 
that these worms, or any part of them, remain in concealment 
until it is quite dark, as we have seen to be the case with the Fail 
Web-worm described in the second article of this report, then we 
should have to make our applications by moonlight, or by the 
light of a lantern, in order to be wholly successful, or successful 
in the shortest time. 
The long known and established application for the destruction 
si 
t 
wL 
