68 



A A' ECONOMIC E^VTOMOLOGV. 



central colony, rather than to protect individual trees or plants. 

 Hot water has been recommended, but is not so effective as 

 the bisulphide. Dead stumps and partly dead, infested plants 

 should be removed and burnt, to deprive the insects of congenial 

 quarters. 



The true home of the Termites is in the tropics, where they 

 are pests of the first magnitude. In Africa some of the species 

 are mound-builders, erecting turreted structures from ten to fif- 

 teen feet in height, made up of earth and partly digested wood 

 and other fibre. 



Family p.socid.e. 



To this family belong the minute "book-lice" often found in 

 dusty corners, under loose paper, in collections, and in other dry 

 localities. They are always small, resembling somewhat a 

 "Termite" in miniature, very active, running backward or for- 

 ward with equal facility, and furnished with very long, slender 



antennae or feelers. The head 

 is very large, with small, 

 coarsely granulated com- 

 pound eyes. The mouth or- 

 gans are mandibulate, but 

 not at all prominent, and 

 fitted for gnawing rather than 

 biting, — whence the insects 

 have been called Corrodentia 

 or ' ' gnawers. ' ' They are 

 white or dirty-yellow in color, 

 and look just enough like 

 true lice to be mistaken for 

 them under some circum- 

 stances. Occasionally con- 

 ditions favor their increase in 

 houses, and almost in a day 

 it will be overrun, beds and 

 bedding being especially favored, to the horror of the housewife, 

 who almost invariably mistakes their true character. Several 

 times within my experience I have received these creatures with 

 anxious entreaties for a remedy, and equally anxious requests for 

 secrecy. The Psocids may be always distinguished from para- 



A book-louse, X 25 diameters. 



