156 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
Without some’ knowledge of botany it is not a very 
easy matter to choose or distinguish the most suitable kinds 
of plants for cultivation from the ever-increasing number, 
which already stands at upwards of 194,000 species re- 
corded in botanical literature, and when the numerous 
trade-names of the supposed varieties or forms, as recorded 
in the various catalogues of seed merchants, are also taken 
into consideration, it will be seen that the task of identi- 
fying a particular kind of weed or forage plant is a for- 
midable one, especially when it is known that, for example, 
the 44 distinct “trade-names” used in connection with 
“Millet Grasses” are reducable to 13 species of six genera. 
NOTE ON THE INDIAN WAX SCALE (CERO- 
PLASTES CERIFERUS.) 
(By Miss Gladys H. Froggatt.) 
This coccid is plentiful at present on the branches of a 
persimmon tree in our garden at Croydon. Last autumn 
after the leaves had fallen, the tree was thoroughly cleaned 
by spraying; but this year it is as thickly covered as before. 
A fresh infestation evidently came from a spindlewood tree 
(Euonymus) on the far side of the garden, and once estab- 
lished on the suitable sap of the persimmon, throve and 
rapidly increased. : 
As the adult female coccid is legless, and the tiny 
larva incapable of sustained effort, they were probably 
transferred to the persimmon tree on birds’ feet or by some 
other outside aid. 
This scale is a native of India, and was introduced here 
on plants many years ago. The secretion has been analysed, 
but it proved to be of no commercial value. Honey bees on 
several occasions have been noticed cutting and carrying 
away this waxy test, thus leaving the coccid exposed. What 
the bees finally do with this useless matter has not yet 
been ascertained. Also hungry little silver-eyes in winter 
have been observed pecking the coccid out of its protective 
shield—a newly-acquired habit. 
The minute larvae, like those of many other scale in- 
sects, are hatched beneath the mass of wax which covers 
the female, and swarm out from beneath. They insert 
their thread-like sucking beak into the bark and suck up 
sap for their sustenance. They form fresh scales of waxy, 
