THK ENTOMOLOGIST. 93 



enclosed larvae are ? They are abundant in the reeds here. 

 — [Rev.'l A. a Hervey; Beaulieu, March 17, 1876. 



[The specimens of reeds sent contain each the larva of a 

 parasite, which still requires further examination. — Edward 

 Newman^ 



Black Spots 0)1 Insect Cabinets. — Can you tell me the 

 cause of black spots arising in the drawers of a mahogany 

 insect cabinet, lined as usual with cork ? Some of my 

 drawers are covered with the most unsightly black spots and 

 blotches of all sizes. 1 find the cork beneath the paper 

 where these marks occur of a blackish colour; but why it 

 should be so 1 am at a loss to know. At first I thought that 

 washing the paper in places with bichloride of mercury, or 

 the accidental dropping of the oil of aniseed, thyme, and 

 spirits of wine, with which I occasionally soak my insects, 

 might have caused this discoloration ; but places in some of 

 the drawers where I know neither of these liquids have fallen, 

 accidentally or otherwise, are just as bad. I find neither paint- 

 ing them over with white paint, nor chalking them carefully, 

 are of any use permanently, as the black substance, whatever 

 it is, asserts its supremacy in the course of a short time, in 

 most instances. Can you suggest a remedy ? 1 have had 

 the cabinet many years (probably ten) ; and it is only within 

 the last year or two these disgusting disfigurements have 

 appeared. They seem, too, to be increasing. The cabinet 

 is mahogany throughout; there is no deal in it anywhere. — 

 J. H. White; Heininyford Grey, St. Ives, Hunts, March 

 8, 1876. 



[I have never observed anything of the kind, and can 

 hardly give an opinion. Perhaps some of my correspondents 

 have had similar experience, and will say what remedy was 

 found effective. — Edward Newman.] 



Mosquitoes in Ireland. — On the 26th of January I was 

 bitten by an insect, exactly resembling a mosquito, in the 

 evening by lamp-light, in the residence of a Iriend in the 

 centre of the comity Wexford. 1 was first attracted by the 

 buzz, with which I liave had unpleasant associations both in 

 Australia and America. After allowing it to bite me on both 

 hands, 1 killed it. The marks of the bites still remain. Have 

 mosquitoes often been observed in Ireland? — Alfred IVehh ; 

 74, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin, February 8, 1876. 



[Culcx i)ipiens, the common gnat, is the only so-called 



