252 fNovember, 



ether, that the liquid became more or less turbid, and that a sediment 

 was deposited upon the sunk stage, more especially after operating 

 upon Sesta crabroniformis ; but my first enlightenment as to the 

 nature of the sediment was brought about in the following manner: — 

 I had been experimenting on some greasy insects kindly sent to 

 me by a correspondent for the purpose ; these, among others, con- 

 sisted of Sepialus sylvinus, SydroBcia petnsitis, Gortyna flavago, No- 

 nagria typlice, and Acronycta myricod, which, with the abdomen of a 

 Sphinx convolvuli, had been immersed for a few days in " Benzine 

 Collas," and subsequently transferred to methylated ether, the latter 

 on the eve of an illness which confined me to my bed for some time, 

 so that it was a week or two before the result was ascertained, when 

 my surprise was considerable at finding the specimens, especially the 

 Hepialids and HydrcecicB, as well as the sunk stage, more or less 

 (chiefly more) thickly coated with a white enamel which, at the time, 

 defied my powers to dissolve it ! 



Under these circumstances, a friend of mine (a learned chemist, 

 whose modesty is such that he forbids me to mention his name) offered 

 to analyze the deposit, and in due course it was pronounced to be 

 Myricin. Here, thought I, is the solution of the phenomenon : the 

 AcronyctcB have absorbed a large quantity of wax from their ceriferous 

 food-plant — Myrica gale. But, no ! this theory was soon knocked on 

 the head by my obliging correspondent informing me that these par- 

 ticular A. myriccB had been reared upon sallow ! and so, for a time, 

 the presence of the wax became more mysterious than ever. 



By the light of my Hefinia investigations, I now incline to think 

 that certain internal feeders, especially those which bore wood, as well 

 as many which make subterranean galleries, possess the power of 

 secreting wax for the purpose of waterproofing their tunnels, and thus 

 protecting themselves against damp and vegetable exudations. 



However imperfect these notes may be, it is my hope that they 

 will interest some of your readers suflBciently to induce them to follow 

 up the hint they convey ; as for myself, it is my intention to return 

 to the subject at some future day. Meanwhile, should any Lepidop- 

 terist or Coleopterist come across wood borings or subterraneous 

 tunnels, or subterranean cocoons, or imagines of, say, Ghost swifts. 

 Goat moths, or Musk beetles, which he does not require for his own 

 use, will he please bear in mind that they would be very acceptable 

 to me. 



Folkestone : October, 1895. 



