4 THE GEELONG NATURALIST. 
long before the Roman occupation. The Romans first established 
a woollen factory. The English wool of this period soon gained a 
reputation for itself throughout Europe, where the skill in manu- 
facture became highly developed. Edward III. made special 
efforts to encourage the woollen industry. Astheresult, English 
wool was sought after by manufacturers on the Continent, where 
it had a reputation exceeded only by the wools of Spain. By 
some means Spain, which for ages provided Europe with wool, 
allowed its quality to degenerate, and its once large supply to 
dwindle. 
Australia is well adapted tor the growth of fine Meo which 
has generally a fine silky staple, and is well adapted for making 
the finest tweeds. The breed of sheep in this country is said to 
have sprung from 3 merino rams and 5 ewes, brought out by 
Capt. McArthur in 1797. The classing of wool is very impor- 
tant, and undoubtedly pays even insmall clips. Reputation is an 
important thing for a clip of wool, and buyers will always pay 
special attention to a brand which experience has taught them to 
rely on, and will look with suspicion on brands which do not 
always represent the same class of wool. It would be an excel- 
lent thing if the Woolbuyers’ Association were to issue a 
pamphlet giving such useful hints to growers as their experience 
might suggest. "This would prove a lasting benefit to both buyer 
and seller,— Abridged. W. RENTON. 
PHYLLOXERA VASTATRIX. 
'THoucH exceedingly small, being about the à, part of an 
inch in length, this insect is very voracious. The body is 
oblong, with 12 to r4 transverse lines of a yellowish tinge. 
Each of the 6 legs terminates in a hooked claw. The young 
come from the egg about the end of May. The females 
come from larger eggs than the males. No sooner are they 
hatched than they go in search of food, and pierce the 
cellular structures of the vine. For several days the colour 
is white, with the exception of 3 red spots near the eyes on 
each side of the head. In a month the body assumes a 
brownish tint, and the yellow lines become distinct. I have 
never seen any larvae or intermediate state. The eggs are 
often embedded in a dark green or brown fungus. Towards the 
end of November the spots between the lines on the back 
are seen. In the space next the head there are about 10 of 
these dark spots; 8 in the next 4 spaces, and only 3 in the 
succeeding 4, while between the last parts there are only 2 
in each. The trunk is divided into two parts: one is 
used as a lancet, and the other is like a mosquito’s sucker. 
It is amusing to see how eager they are in sucking up the 
