As early as the 6th of July, and as late as the 15th of September, we often find herds of small, greenish-yellow caterpillars on the under side of the grape leaves, feeding side by side, in considerable numbers. It is well, however, to observe that there are two distinct classes of gregarious larvae found on the grape. Those of the Procris Americana, a Lepidopterous insect, and those of a species of saw flies (the Selandria vitis) belonging to the Hymenopterous orders.

Fig. 1(9) represents the female Procris depositing her eggs in the axils, and along the veins of the leaf. So intent are they, that they continue the operation though the leaf be cut off and carried to some distance, as I have observed. The spot is first touched, perhaps with a portion of gummy fluid, and the eggs then deposited thereon, in succession, until some twenty-five or thirty are planted. Those, in the course of a few days, drop their lids, and the minute larvae come forth, as seen (Fig. 3) on the same leaf. They undergo their several changes until matured. Fig. 4 is a magnified view. They are cylindrical, with a few scattered hairs, with a transverse row of warts, armed with short, stiff, radiating, black prickles on each segment; head and tail, dark. They have sixteen feet. The female Procris (9) is a wasp-like moth, with narrow, blue-black wings, a saffron-colored collar, and notched tuft of hairs on the extremity of the body. The male (♂), Fig. 2, is larger, has a yellow collar, and dark, fawn-colored wings; the antennae scarcely toothed; those of the female strongly so, or pectinated.

This replaces, in America, the Procris vitis of Europe, so destructive to the vine in Tuscany.

In their diurnal flight and general appearance, they approach the AEgeria; there is, however, no relationship in their transformations and habits. The larvae of Procris devour the leaves of plants, and make their cocoons of coarse silk, of a flattened form and tough texture, found in crevices and under the leaves, being more like the Phalaenae in their habits, among which they are arranged by some naturalists.

Procris Americana.

This is also figured (except the male) Plate 6, and described page 18, Patent Office Report for 1854, wherein it is recommended "to destroy the caterpillars by syringing the leaves with a solution of whale-oil soap, and then trampling under foot those which fall to the ground, or by picking off the infected leaves by hand, when not too numerous." (The latter is my plan.) In reference to this subject, it is also mentioned " that the French have a method of destroying small moths in their gardens, by the use of cords dipped in honey, and stretched from tree to tree. These cords at the same time attract the insect by their sweetness, and entrap them from their adhesiveness".

Fig. 5 represents the larva of Selandria vitis, also a great pest to the vine; they are of a greenish-yellow color, tapering behind; an olive blotch on the last and front segments, each with two transverse rows of single spines, which are black, and more conspicuous on the first three rings, perfectly naked. Those have twenty-two legs, and, when fully grown, are about five-eighths of an inch in length.

The fly, or parent, is of a jet-black color, except the upper side of the thorax, which is red; legs, pale-yellowish; the wings with brown veins of a smoky color. These flies rise from the ground in spring, and lay their eggs. (See Harris, p. 870).

The slug-worm (those little, snail-like, tadpole-shaped, slimy caterpillars), quite too common on our cherry and pear-trees, belong to the same family - Blenno-campa ceraci, or Selandria cerasi, the first name being most appropriate. A neighbor of mine saved a young pear-tree by dusting black pepper over them when the dew was yet upon the leaves.

[Mr. Stauffer is an accurate observer, and what is quite remarkable and interesting, he furnishes wood-cats for his illustrations, made by his own hand. He has our thanks for these contributions, and we hope he will continue them. - Ed].