INSECT PESTS OF THE HOUSE. 339 



spoonful of mashed potatoes. These preparations should be used 

 for several nights in succession. 



Bristle-Tail or Silver-Fish (Lepisma). — Often when look- 

 ing into a box or drawer which has remained in a damp place 

 for some time, or on opening an old book, we see a curious little 

 silvery creature running swiftly out of sight. It is so unlike the 

 insects which we usually find in our houses that one hardly knows 

 what to call it. It is nevertheless an insect, though belonging to 

 a low order. Its long, slender body is covered with delicate iri- 

 descent scales, from which is derived its name "silver-fish"; it 

 has no wings and passes through no metamorphoses. It feeds 

 on silken clothing, tapestry, and the like, but is more destructive 

 to books, eating the paste of the binding and even the leaves, 

 though loose papers are more often attacked. A few years ago 

 one species was found doing a great deal of damage in museums 

 by eating the labels. The labels which were, rendered illegible 

 by the attacks of this insect were made of heavily sized paper, in 

 most cases common unglazed paper remaining untouched by them ; 

 and it was also found that only clothing finished with starch or 

 sizing was subject to their attacks. Prof. Hagen, writing on this 

 pest, recommends that insect-powder, which easily kills them, 

 should be sprinkled about silk dresses or any articles liable to be' 

 injured by them. Where papers are pressed close together the 

 Lepisma can do no damage ; but in cases where pressure might 

 injure the papers or pictures they might be inclosed in boxes, 

 taking care that the covers fit so closely that no space is left for 

 the insect to enter, or the boxes might be sealed up by pasting 

 strips of paper around the covers, a paste with which insect-pow- 

 der has been mixed being used for this purpose ; valuable framed 

 engravings might be covered on the backs with common paper, 

 the same kind of paste being used. There is no doubt that labels 

 washed in an alcoholic solution of corrosive sublimate would be 

 rendered proof againstr the attacks of this insect. 



Death- Watch (Anobium). — Books are also eaten by the larva 

 and the mature insect of several species of beetles belonging to the 

 genus Anobium. These beetles produce the ticking sound some- 

 times heard in the wood-work of houses, specially noticeable at 

 night, when everything is quiet. This sound is probably a sexual 

 call, and is made by the beetle rapping the wood with its head. 

 Injury is also done by them to furniture and food, and they some- 

 times prove a great annoyance. Their depredations may be pre- 

 vented by washing articles liable to be attacked in a solution of 

 corrosive sublimate in alcohol, or objects such as books may be 

 exposed to the odor of carbolic acid or benzine, or they may be 

 fumigated with burning sulphur. 



There are still other insects which do more or less damage in 



