82 



ORNITHOLOGIST 



[Vol. 16-No. 6 



grows fat on camphor, and it not only devours 

 onr specimens of natural history but it also 

 will eat our clothing, carpets and upholstery. 



The perfect l)cetle (represented by Fig. d) 

 is only .OH of an inch long, and about two- 

 thirds as broad, dull black in color, with mark- 

 ings of red and white, which when viewed with 

 a magnifying glass appear like a mosaic. 



Tlie larva (Figs, a and ')) is a little oval 

 worm, about .2.5 of an incli long, and covered 

 with lony' brown Imirs. 



Fig. c represents the pupa, tlie transition 

 stage between the larva and the perfect beetle. 

 These figures are magnified about seven diam- 

 eters, the natural size being indicated by the 

 sliort line I at tlie side of each figure. 



They were known to science at ahout the 

 year ITIiO, when they were descril)ed by Lin- 

 n;eus as having been found upon the flowers of 

 the S}jinea. They also frequent the blossoms 

 of the shad-bush (AmeUmeheia raiiadensis). 

 They were not known in this country until 

 about 1872, although they had lieen famous as 

 destroyers of carpets, clothing and museum 

 specimens in Europe for many years; in fact, 

 tlie reason for tlie introduction of mats, instead 

 of carpets fastened to the floor, is due, to a 

 great extent, to the depredations of this beetle. 



The problem which is now presented to us 

 for solution, is how to prevent the attacks of 

 this destroyer of our collections, and how to 

 destroy tliem if they have gained a foothold. 



In tlie first place care should be taken to 

 have our cases so tight that no insect can get 

 into them, but in some instances, as in large 

 collections of mounted birds, this is almost 

 impossible; in which case it behooves us to so 

 prepare our specimens that they will be as 

 nearly proof against their attacks as is possible. 



Collections of insects can be kept in air- 

 tight cases; bird skins in most instances 

 also. Mounted birds sliouhl be thorougldv 



poisoned with some form of arsenic (arseni- 

 cal soa]) preferably) and the l)ill, feet, and 

 tarsi .should be waslied in a thin solution of 

 this mixture. All eases which are not tight 

 should be thoroughly cleaned at least once 

 a year, and washed with a weak solution of 

 corrosive sublimate and kept charged with 

 napthaline in some form ( I consider the 

 pure Ckyst Ai.b.\ to be the best for birds 

 and Blake's Inskct Cones the be.st for insect 

 cases), and use enough to do the work. But 

 we will consider that the little beetles have 

 already commenced their depredations. The 

 first act is to kill them, each and every (me, 

 lieetles, larva, pup.aand eggs, f(n' if one be left it 

 is liable to pei'iietuate itself in a numerous 

 progeny before noticed. 



Every bird must be well drenched with iiaptha 

 (this can be dried out with plaster if desirable, 

 but it is better to let it dry off in its natnr.al 

 way, replacing any feathers which may have 

 become misplaced, when the biid is dry). 

 An atomizer is useful here, and also in the 

 next step, which is to introduce iiapth.a into 

 all the cracks ami crevices of the cabinet. 

 Then wash it well with strong soap suds, and 

 after with a solution of corrosive sublimate. 

 To make tliis solution dissolve two parts of the 

 chemical in five parts of alcohol, and ilUute 

 with water until a black feather will not be 

 whitened when dipped in the solution. 



Watch the specimens very closely for some 

 time and if any trace of life is detected resort 

 to the naptha can. Be very cautious in using 

 the tluid as it is very intlammable and ex- 

 plosive, and no fire or tlame of any sort should 

 be near while it is in use. 



Collections of insects may be freed from 

 museum pests by the use of bi-sidphide of 

 carbon, poured upon a little cotton batting, 

 placed in a corner of the case or drawer, which 

 should be kept tightly closed, as the stench 

 is something fearful, and it is also highly 

 inflammable. 



All new specimens should be subjected to 

 quarantine before placing in the case with 

 oiliers, and also left in the disinfecting box 

 for some time. This disinfecting box is an 

 air-tight case, preferably of tin, whose cover 

 has a deep rim fitting down into agioove, filled 

 with water or heavy felt, impregnated with 

 creosote or some kindred substance. Into 

 this case whole boxes of insects or birds may 

 be placed and subjected to the vapors of ben- 

 zine or bi-sulphide of carbon. 



Kooms which have become their habita- 

 tion slioidd be treated the same as cases; all 



