238 INSECT ARTIZANS AND THEIR WORK 



specimen, whether it be in fur or feathers, horns 

 or hoofs, has been providing nourishment for 

 years for this terrible insect. The marvel is that 

 it can go on feeding upon such dry pabulum with- 

 out ever an opportunity to imbibe the slightest 

 drop of moisture. It will bore right through a 

 flitch of bacon and give it what country people 

 call a " reasty " flavour. 



Westwood informs us that years ago another 

 member of the same genus {Dermestes vulpinus) 

 inflicted such damage on skins in the warehouses of 

 London merchants that they made a joint offer 

 of twenty thousand pounds as a reward for the 

 discovery of any real method of extermination. 

 We believe the reward was never claimed. This 

 is one of the numerous cases where Civilization 

 comes into conflict with Nature. Dermestes has a 

 commission to look especially after the hard dry 

 parts of animal remains that have been left uneaten 

 by blow fly gentles and carrion beetles. Here is a 

 building full of old skins discovered by the beetles. 

 " It's a big job," muses the mother beetle ; " but it's 

 got to be done." And she does her best by laying 

 an abundance of eggs to execute the commission. 



The skin-merchant thinks Nature has no sense 

 to let loose such rapacious pests among his goods ; 

 but from Nature's point of view the warehouse is 

 stacked with refuse, which must be disintegrated 

 as quickly as possible and the elements of which it 

 is composed put into circulation again. From 

 Civilization's point of view Nature's sanitary officers 



