Note 330 — LETTER VI.

Fabricius seems to have regarded the saw-fly that feeds upon the sallow (Nematus Capreæ), not only as synonymous with that which feeds upon the osier, but also with our little assailant of the gooseberry and currant. Yet it is very evident from Reaumur's account, whose accuracy may be depended upon, that they are all distinct species. Fabricius's description of the fly agrees with the insect of the gooseberry, but that which he has given of the larva belongs to the animal inhabiting the sallow. Probably, confounding the two species, he described the imago from the insect of the former, and the larva (if he did not copy from Reaumur or Linné) from that of the latter. Linné was correct in regarding Reaumur's three insects as distinct species, though he appears to be mistaken in referring to him under N. flavus, as the saw-fly of the currant and gooseberry is not wholly yellow.