Melolontha, the Cockchafer.

M. vulgaris. Common Cockchafer.

M. horticolo. May-Bug, or Bracken-clock. Feeds upon the leaves of the Raspberry and Rose. Mr. Curtis justly observes, that - "When the roses are in full bloom in May, these beetles sometimes do very extensive mischief to the flowers, by eating out the anthers and consuming the petals. Having deposited about a hundred eggs in the earth, the female dies, and the larva; hatch and commence their attacks upon the roots of the grass. It is stated, that they are feeding three years, and they reside about an inch beneath the turf; but as winter approaches, they retire deeper into the earth; and even in November, when frost has set in, they have buried themselves a spade deep. The larva; are rather active and can walk tolerably well, dragging their bodies after them; they lie, however, generally curved up in the shape of a horse-shoe; the head is deep, ochreous and destitute of eyes. The body is ochreous white with a few brown hairs. To kill these larva;, water the grass in the autumn with one-tenth gas liquor to two-tenths water, it will do no mischief to the grass, but will extirpate these miners.

Where the gas liquor cannot be obtained, employ strong salt water." - Gard. Chron.