THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 229 



bable that they have spread further. The note in the newspapers about 

 the sudden break down of the wooden stand supporting the ensigns and 

 standards, looks very suspicious. Perhaps white ants may know more 

 about it. In the Dungeon only the taxation papers of the State were 

 stored, and the white ants, when I saw it, had arrived at the twentieth 

 year of this century. According to another notice in a newspapet (I can- 

 not say if it is true), the archives of the Board of Health have been placed 

 in the Dungeon — as the notice stated — for preservation. As the State 

 House was built on a place that was formerly a beautiful garden^ it is very 

 possible that stumps not taken out may be the cause of the presence of 

 the pest. To find out where the white ants came into the Dungeon, and 

 to follow their gangs outside the building, would be the first and most 

 important step to take. Indeed, two years ago a bill asking for a paltry 

 sum for this purpose was brought before the Legislature, but laid upon 

 the table. In a boarding house in France, infested by white ants, the 

 floor of the dining room suddenly came down two flights, together with 

 the table boarders. It is gratifying to learn that nobody was hurt, and as 

 it is stated, they lost only their appetites for one day. So we may hope 

 that if the Legislature should come down in a similar soft manner, they 

 may lose only their appetites for one day, and that this ai-gumentuin a 

 posteriori may be followed by an enlightenment about the pest. Indeed, 

 the State House is not the only place infested by white ants in those parts 

 of the city. A few months ago an old bachelor, in a house very near Mt. 

 Vernon Street, had to take out all the injured lumber supporting the 

 walls and to replace it by new. When told by one relation that it was 

 rather dangerous, he answered that he felt very comfortable, as it was only 

 every ten years he had to meet this expense. In the neighborhood of the 

 State House, in small courts, are some sickly looking old trees, probably 

 dear old pets of the owners. They have decidedly the appearance of 

 knowing something about white ants. That may be as it is, but I believe 

 that no library here is more in danger than that in the State House, and I 

 am told that it contains very rare books, difficult or impossible to be re- 

 placed. The Athenseum, situated near the State House and on one side 

 bordering on an old churchyard, seems at first in a rather dangerous situ- 

 ation. But the very substantial building, with high, and, I believe, vaulted 

 basements, makes danger to the library appear very improbable. Never- 

 theless, it would be reasonable to always have the pest in mind, and to 



