[FLETCHER] INJURIOUS INSECTS OF CANADA 231 



(Hemiptera), the scaven,o-er beetles (SlapJii/Iinidce), the carrion beetles 

 {Silphidœ), and ground beetles (Carahidœ), bnt I feel sure that no one 

 who has been unfortunate enough to accidentally disturb or lay hold 

 of a specimen of the small insect which is known to entomologists as 

 Nomhis pygmœus will ever dispute its right to be called for all time 

 the Real Stink-bug. Fortunately, in most places this is an extremely 

 rare insect; but on two or three occasions it has appeared in small num- 

 bers about dwelling houses and has been an intolerable affliction to the 

 inhabitants, who were actually driven away until the plague ceased. 

 This formidable disturber of man's comfort is a small modest-looking 

 brown beetle no longer than one-quarter of an inch, but, when crushed 

 or excited, as by being caught in a spider's web, can and does give out 

 a most far-reaching and repulsive fetor which is besides of a very last- 

 ing nature, articles which have been in contact with the beetles retain- 

 ing the characteristic odour for several weeks. Most of the complaints 

 of the unpleasant presence of this beetle have been sent to me from 

 Vancouver Island, B.C. \ , , ; ! , 



NEW YORK. 



