170 DINODERUS PILIFRONS. 
some points is conflicting and this was to be expected since the 
conditions under which the bamboos were experimented with 
were not the same in all cases. The concensus of opinion of the 
majority would seem, however, to favour cutting bamboos in the 
winter months, z.e., November to March when the sap is low. 
Bamboos cut in the spring or summer suffer very seriously 
from the borers, as also do newly-cut ones kept in the shade. 
This statement is considered to apply to newly-cut poles also. 
Whilst there can be no doubt that there isa good deal to be 
said for these theories, the point should not be lost sight of that 
at present we know very little about the life histories of these 
borers. !t is known that there is more than one species (and 
more than one genus) of beetle which attacks the bamboos. 
One or more of these may hibernate in the wood through the 
winter months either as a larva or beetle, commencing the first 
attacks of the year on neighbouring bamboos towards the 
end of March. This being the case it may follow that bamboos 
cut between December and the middle of March, containing 
as they do little sap, may rapidly dry and thus, besides becom- 
ing distasteful to some of the borers, at the same time by con- 
traction kill off the hibernating insects within them. I would 
suggest that it is not so much the phases of the moon, etc., 
which require to be studied but rather the life histories of the 
beetles. 
My experiments with the Dun bamboos would seem to 
, show that the beetles, having once got into the stems, continue 
boring and breeding in them throughout the spring and summer 
months or at any rate that this is the procedure of Dinoderus 
pilifrons. Other species may perhaps leave the bamboo when 
quite dry. 
Protection. 
1. Whenever possible bamboos as soon as cut should be 
immersed for a few weeks in water, It isan undoubted fact 
that they then become less liable to attack from woad-borers, 
The reasons are threefold :— 
(1) Whilst submerged the beetles cannot get at the bam- 
boos to attack and lay eggs in them. 
