67 
of a Minute Species of Ant. 
cases it appears probable, that they have proceeded from one house 
to another through crevices in the party-walls, and in others, that 
they have been conveyed by articles that have been sent into the 
houses from the shops. In one case it w T as clearly ascertained, 
that they w'ere introduced from the grocer’s in a parcel of raisins. 
No method, as far as I can learn, has yet been discovered of de- 
stroying them or banishing them from a house of which they have 
got possession. The most powerful chemical acids appear to have 
little effect upon them ; I have myself tried the vapours of ammonia 
and of chlorine. They are, indeed, destroyed by being immersed 
in boiling water, but this, it is obvious, cannot be employed in 
many situations where they are found. We have adopted a plan 
which has appeared to diminish their numbers in a very sensible 
degree, and which may be adopted until a more effectual one be 
discovered. A slice of meat is placed on the hearth of the kitchen, 
which, in a short time becomes covered with them ; it is then dipped 
into a vessel of boiling water, by which they are detached from it 
and destroyed ; the meat is then replaced and the operation re- 
peated. In this way we must, at one time, have destroyed many 
thousands daily, and it seemed to have the further good effect of 
preventing them from straying to other parts of the house. 
I shall not occupy the time of the Society in detailing to them 
the various reports that I have heard about these animals, because 
I believe that many of these reports are without foundation, and 
certainly without sufficient proof. I think it better simply to lay 
before the Society the facts only on which I can depend ; by w'hich 
means I may hope to draw the attention of its members to a sub- 
ject which really appears to me of very great public interest. In 
conclusion, I may add, that I shall be most happy to co-operate 
with the Society in any plan of investigation or experiment which 
they may suggest, as, I apprehend, it can only be by observing 
their habits and becoming acquainted with every thing connected 
with their history, that we can hope to discover any mode of 
checking their progress.* 
* Some additional observations and suggestions relative to this subject, by va- 
rious members of the Society, will be found in the Journal of Proceedings. 
