38 
these are wont, when about to undergo their metamorphoses, to leave the 
objects that have hitherto afforded them the means of subsistence. Familiar 
instances of the truth of this are afforded by the codlin moth, the caterpillar of 
which will spin up in a fold or even on the smooth and uninterrupted surface of 
brown paper that has contained infested fruit; and so, by reason of the 
material used in the construction of the cocoon, escape ordinary scrutiny. 
Bags that have recently held potatoes infested by ithe Lita solanella may, when 
transported from one place to another, even as the receptacles of other mer- 
chandise, serve as the means of disseminating an insect destructive alike to the 
tobacco plant as well as that which has formerly nourished it, in every stage of 
their existence. 
Soil surrounding the rovts of growing plants is again a fruitful source for 
the introduction of pests. In this way, as in the past, we may expect to 
receive the eggs and young of both slugs and snails; the larve of scarabeids 
or chafers, as well as of Eumolpidx, Galerneide, and other families of beetles 
destructive in both grub and perfect conditions. Certain kinds of Coceids, or 
scale insects, may again find their way hither in this way, especially those 
belonging to the genus Dactylopius, or mealy bug, which frequently attached 
to roots oviposit in the soil, with the result that their minute young occupy 
the interstices of this as well as of whatever box or other receptacle that may 
contain it. Again, in the soil itself may be introduced various aphides, as also 
nematodes or gall worms. 
That which has been stated with regard to fruit also applies to other 
vegetable products—e.g., tubers, seeds, &e.; even when these be imported 
without the definite intention of being used for cropping the soil. ‘This con- 
tention receives support from what has been experienced in the ease of such 
introduced pests as the potato tuber-worm, or the Bruchide—the weevils of — 
pulse; the latter, it is hoped however, not yet naturalised in our cOW-pea — 
cultivations. Grain, if already not properly cleaned on arrival, may contain the 
chirysalises—the so-called ‘ flax-seeds’”—of the Hessian Fly. 
More than one class of the goods that form part of a ¢grocer’s stock in. 
trade may act as the vehicle for the introduction of banetul forms of insect 
life. These, it is true, are usually assignable to the group defined as domestic 
pests, since they in great measure restrict their attention to manufactured 
articles and other commodities affording us raiment or shelter; yet there are 
no grounds for concluding that with the lesser wax moth of the beehives, 
that—as has been pointed out by a local resident, H. Hockings—finds its way 
hither on dricd fruit, we have received the last of the pests that travel 
further afield. 
Straw-packing, including hay formed of the stems of timothy, &e., may 
be expected to serve as the means for the introduction of one or more of the 
straw-mining insects injurious to cereals—e.g., the Hessian Fly and Joint 
Worm (Jsosoma): a remark that especially applies to that covering agricul- 
tural implements, since these may be taken, with the packing still attached, 
direct from the place of debarkation to agricultural holdings where wheat, &e., 
is being grown. 
Yet there are still other ways in which agronomic pests such as are alluded 
to may gain entrance and establishment here. One of these consists in the 
importation of insects—e.g., silkworms—yielding or supposed to yield valuable 
products, and the subsequent liberation of these, either accidentally or inten- 
tionally, and in the latter case even regardless, it may be, of all consequences. 
An instance of this is afforded by what has been experienced in Massachusetts, — 
U.S.A., with respect to the gipsy moth (Ocneria dispar) introduced there from 
urope as a possible new source for silk by a private enthusiast, whose enter- 
prise has already occasioned an outlay on the part of that State of many 
thousand pounds sterling. 
Cc , 
