an inch in length, and of a whitish colour,
are imported into Lahore from Hindostan.

M. Bourlier published in 1857 an interesting note on the same
substance[J], which has been followed by M. Guibourt's communication to
the Academie des Sciences, and still later by a memoir on the chemical
history of Trehala, by M. Marcellin Berthelot, also presented to the
Academy[K].

From the investigations of M. Guibourt, it appears that the cocoons are
composed of a large proportion of starch (identical with that found in
the stem of the _Echinops_, upon which the insect forms its nest), of
gum, a peculiar saccharine matter, a bitter principle, besides earthy
and alkaline salts.

The saccharine principle, which has been especially examined by M.
Berthelot, and named by him _Trehalose_, is a body analogous to
cane-sugar, but possessing distinctive properties, which separate it
from that and all other varieties of sugar.

M. Bourlier states that _Trehala_, which is abundant in the shops of the
Jew drug-dealers of Constantinople, is frequently used by the Arab and
Turkish physicians in the form of a decoction, which is regarded by them
as of peculiar efficacy in diseases of the respiratory organs.

The second insect-product to which I would draw attention, is a
saccharine substance resembling dark honey. Mr. Loftus, who obtained it
near Kirrind, 13th July, 1851, and whose specimen is in the British
Museum, states that it is exuded from a species of thistle when pierced
by a Rhynchophorous insect; but he fails to inform us for what purposes
it is used by the inhabitants.

Mr. Loftus having also presented the Museum with excellent specimens
both of the plant and insect, I am able to state that the former is
_Echinops persicus_, Fisch., and the latter a new species of _Larinus_,
to which M. Jekel has applied the name _Larinus mellificus_, and of
which he has drawn up the following description:--

"LARINUS MELLIFICUS, _Jekel_ (fig. 3). Breviter ovatus, convexus,
niger, nitidus; infra subtiliter, lateribus thoracis margineque
elytrorum intus medio versus angulariter ampliata, apicem occupante
griseo-cinerascenti tomentosis; rostro leviter punctato, basi
utrinque bicanaliculato cum elevatione media lata subcariniformi;
thorace subconico antice tubulato, supra confertim sat rude
punctato, lateribus subrugoso; elytris striato-punctatis,
interstitiis latis, planis, transversim subtilissime rugulosis, cum