40 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February, 



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269, is added: "The governor of the Bastile hearing that this 

 unfortunate prisoner had found a solace in the society of a Spider, 

 paid Pelisson a visit, desiring to see the manoeuvres of the insect. 

 The Basque struck up his notes, the Spider instantly came to be 

 fed by his friend, but the moment it appeared on the floor of the 

 cell, the governor placed his foot on its body and crushed it to 

 death." 



At a ladies' school at Kensington, England, an immense spe- 

 cies of Spider is said to be uncomfortably common, and that 

 when the young ladies sing their accustomed hymn or psalm 

 before morning and evening prayers, these Spiders make their 

 appearance on the floor, or suspend overhead from their webs in 

 the ceiling, obviously attracted by the ' ' concord of sweet sounds. ' ' 

 Cowan s Curious Facts in the History of Insects. 



o 



MORE ABOUT THE REO BUG. 



By ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON. 



On the eve of my departure for Florida I received the January 

 NEWS, and read Dr. Hamilton's interesting paper on the Red 

 Bug. As soon as I saw the title I knew that I ought to close the 

 magazine and forego the pleasure of perusal. But there was a 

 horrible fascination in the theme and I read on to the bitter end. 

 I have known little peace of mind since then. An absence of 

 eight months from Florida had somewhat dulled the memory of 

 certain agonizing experiences there, but this article has revived 

 them all. I wish the good doctor had been correct as to my 

 immunity from the little scarlet pests, but he is sadly mistaken; 

 I have known them long and intimately. That I have not made 

 mention of them in my occasional papers is owing to the dislike 

 I feel to dwelling upon painful topics. But I can vouch for the 

 truth of all the learned doctor says of this little fiend. Its diving, 

 head first, into a sweat pore, its subsequent decease there, and the 

 unhappiness ensuing, are described with painful accuracy. As 

 for the remedies spoken of I have tried them all, and many more 

 but with little benefit. Residents assure me that kerosene rubbed 

 over the body just as soon as the tickling sensation shows tin- 

 presence of the bugs will kill the little pests and prevent further 

 trouble. I have not tried this, but I have seen excellent results 

 from certain heroic treatment. One of my friends always resorts 



