140 MONOPHLEBUS STEBBINGII. 

arising is due tothe heavy loss of sap experienced by the 
tree when the insects are in very large numbers. This damage 
arises in two ways, firstly, by the clogging up of the stomata 
and pores of the tree with the sugary excretion which envelops 
leaves, twigs, etc., witha film making them look as if they had 
been varnished. This is more serious indry years when no 
rain falls to wash it off. Secondly, the twigs and branches dry 
up from the effect of the constant tapping. The crowns of 
large trees thus become thin and straggling under repeated 
attacks, whilst young saplings havea crooked method of growth, 
the younger ones not improbably dying down under constant 
repetition of the treatment. As the attack culminates in the 
spring when the trees are putting forth new leaves and flowers, 
serious injury is done to these. The development of the former 
is stopped and they shrivel up and wither on the smaller twigs. 
Information with regard to the flowers is not yet available ; expe- 
riments are being carried out with seed in order to ascertain 
whether its vitality is impaired. 
The insect prefers the crowns of the trees of the high forest, 
where it occasionally multiplies and congregates in enormous 
numbers; it is, however, to be found on small trees and 
saplings as well, collecting on the smaller branches and twigs or 
clustered for some inches up the leading skoots. 
Mr. E. M. Coventry in reporting insects, which I identified 
as M. Stebbingit, from Kalesar forest at the end of April 1gor, 
confirmed these observations relative to young growth. He 
WweEote.-— 
“They are seen crawling up the trunks of large trees, but generally 
they are found crowded together all round the stems, sometimes fora 
length of six inches. The damage they do is that they sit and suck the 
juices of the young shoots sothat the parts above dry up and drop off. 
The leading shoots are generally attacked in this way, so that very often 
the trees become crooked. I have been trying to find some coppice 
shoots or young saplings that have escaped injury, but every one I have 
seen shows signs of having been attacked inthis way. When the leading 
shoot is killed, next year several new shoots are put out a little lower 
down. One of these probably takes the lead and is killed in its turn, and 
soon. The result is a more or less crooked habit of growth.” 
In parts of the Dun forests the scale insect was accompanied 
