THE CULTIVATOR. 
73 
The common impression seems to be, that the insect is a weevil, 
which deposites its eggs as the grain comes into blossom ; and many 
profess to have discovered the fly upon the wheat ear. This hypo¬ 
thesis should be received with caution, as it tends to discourage ef¬ 
forts, to arrest the evil, and because we think it is founded in error. 
Flies naturally resort to the haunts of insects, to feed upon the ex- 
crementitious matters which there abound ; and their presence is 
often mistaken for the cause, when it is only the consequence of the 
existence of larvae. 
In the second number of the Cultivator, we made some remarks 
upon the wheat insect, and gave extracts from a publication of Mr. 
Bauer, relative to the grain worms, (vibrio trilici.) We are so 
strongly of the opinion, that the insects described by Mr. Bauer are 
the identical ones which are now preying upon our wheat, that we 
have thought it wortli while to incur the expense of cuts, delineating 
the appearance of the affected grain, and of the worms as they ap¬ 
peared on different examinations. This will enable the reader to 
decide with greater certainty upon their identity with our wheat 
worm ; and should this be found to exist, to apply with confidence 
Mr. Bauer’s preventive, viz. to soak the seed grain in lime water. 
As the causticity of the lime is depended on to kill the nit on the 
seed, particular care should be had that the lime is fresh burnt, and 
has not become effete by air slaking. There is a double induce¬ 
ment to try Mr. Bauer’s plan. If it does not prevent the ravages 
of the worm, it will prevent smut. 
The reader will refer to No. 2, for Mr. B.’s remarks, the whole 
of whose communication may be found in the London Philosophical 
Transactions of 1823. 
Table A. 
7 8 9 10 
Explanation of Tablf, A. 
[Each of the figures in this table are magnified five times in diame- 
Fig. ter, or fifty times superficially. 
1. A germen infected with grain worms from the apex of a wheat 
ear, before it had emerged from its hose; examined the 5th of 
June, 1808. 
2. A transverse section of the same, containing one single large 
worm, but no eggs. 
3. An infected germen from the base of the same ear. 
4. A transverse section of the same, containing one large single 
worm and some eggs. 
5. A somewhat larger germen, examined the 13th of June. 
6. A transverse section of the same, containing two large worms 
and many eggs. 
7. An infected germen, examined June the 21st. 
8. A transverse section of the same, containing several large worms, 
many eggs, and some newly hatched lively worms. 
Vol. I. K 
9. A somewhat larger germen or grain, examined the 27 th of June. 
10. A transverse section of the same, containing several large and 
several young worms, and a great many eggs 
11. An infected grain, examined the 15th of July, 1808. 
12. A transverse section of the same, containing seven large worms 
of different sizes, some laying their eggs, some not quite mature, 
many young worms, and a great many eggs. 
13. An infected grain nearly divided into two parts, examined July 
the 15th. 
14. A transverse section of the same, containing several large 
worms some laying their eggs, some already dead, a great ma¬ 
ny young live worms, and many eggs. 
15. A full grown infected wheat grain, examined July the 30th, just 
beginning to change its colour. 
16. A transverse section of the same, the cellular tissue divided into 
two cavities, filled tojjexcess with young worms all aiive, but no 
trace of the old worms nor of the eggs existed. 
17. A longitudinal section of the same. 
18. A double germen found in one floret of an inoculated plant, ex¬ 
amined June the 5th, 1808; the seed corn was inoculated with 
worms, and and germen proved infected with worms and the 
other was perfectly sound. There were also two stunted an¬ 
thers in that floret. 
19. A transverse section of the infected germen which contained 
one large worm. 
20. The sound germen, after the infected one was removed. 
21. A transverse section of the sound germen. 
22. Another double grain found in one floret of a plant, the seed 
corn of which had been inoculated with the worms and with 
the fungi of the smut balls; both diseases had taken effect; 
examined July the 18th, 1808. One grain was found infected 
with worms and fungi, and the other with fungi only; there 
was also one small anther in tiiis singular floret. 
23. A transverse section of the same; in the germen A, are two 
nests or groups of worms closely adhering to some remains of 
the cellular tissue; the other germen B, is entirely filled with 
the fungi of the uredofoetida or smut balls, and has no trace of 
the cellular tissue. 
Table B. 
4 6 5 8 
