THE TURNIP-FLY. 
447 
but a beetle. There are thirty-eight species enumerated by Sa- 
mouelle, a great many of which feed on plants belonging to the order 
Crucifera, They are seldom seen on the wing; but, from the pecu¬ 
liar structure and great strength of their hinder legs, they can leap a 
great distance. Haltica nemorum is one of the smallest of the Brit¬ 
ish species, and under that name are included two very distinct vari¬ 
eties, one with white longitudinal lines on the Elytrse, and the other 
which is perfectly black. In every turnip field you will find some of 
both varieties.” Mr. Westwood states, “ the turnip fly belongs to an 
extensive family (Chrysomelida, or Golden Beetles) and as it is 
nearly related to some of the small species of Chrysomelida, whose 
habits are recorded, I think we are justified, from analogy, in judging 
their habits are precisely similar.” 
With regard to the changes or metamorphoses, under which the 
turnip fly passes before attaining its perfect state as turnip fly, Mr. 
Westwood says, “Like all beetles, they have previously undergone 
a succession of changes, through the egg, grub, and chrysalis state; 
which occupy a considerable time before the insect arrives at its per¬ 
fect state as a beetle :—not, indeed, several years, as is the case with 
many beetles; but, I am inclined to think, at least, one year. If 
this be the case, it is evident the preparatory stages of the insect are 
not connected with the young turnip.” Dr. Pearson is also of 
opinion, that the fly has passed through the stages of egg, grub, and 
chrysalis, before appearing in its most dreaded form, as the destroyer 
of our turnips. So also says Mr. Henderson; and they all state it as 
a fact, of which, judging from analogy, no naturalist can entertain a 
doubt. 
It is, however, very remarkable, that no entomologist has detected 
the insect in any other state than the perfect one of fly or beetle. If 
the transformations take place, which, by analogy, we are fully war¬ 
ranted to expect, they are so carried on as hitherto to have escaped 
detection. This part of our enquiry is, by far, the most important; 
and, important as it is, cannot, in the present state of information, be 
fully answered. Dr. Pearson, who appears to have given great atten¬ 
tion to the subject, says, “I once thought the white specks or dots 
observable on a large portion of turnip seed, (say, three out of five,) 
were the eggs of the chrysomeloc, or turnip fly, deposited on them by 
the fly, at the time when the turnip seed ripens and bursts, so as to 
give the fly an opportunity of getting at the seed. But I have since 
been compelled to abandon this opinion, having had no flies when 
the seed was sown in soil contained in pots covered with bell glasses 
—the soil had no manure mixed with it.” Mr. Westwood also, after 
