1899] MEDITERKANEAN MILL MOTH. 91 



should (unless they are themselves acquainted with the effects on flour 

 constituents) lay the matter before the chemist of their firm. This is 

 especially to he considered in the case of the following application. 



Bisulphide of carbon. — This as a fumigant is, I believe, the appli- 

 cation recommended above all others in America as successful in 

 clearing out "Mediterranean Mill Moth" and other insect pests of 

 stored goods (as of Beans or Peas, for instance) on which it can be 

 brought to bear in confined areas, large or small. From the wide- 

 spread prevalence of its use for many years, it is presumable that it 

 can be used safely with ordinary care, but as yet its use has not gained 

 footing here, and 1 could not think of recommendinf/ its use myself, ex- 

 cepting under the advice and direction of a known trustworthy chemist. 

 Therefore, I do not give any recipes for the method of application. 

 The danger is great in uninstructed hands of its excessive inflamma- 

 bility, causing disaster in all directions ; it not only ignites from 

 presence of light in its neighbourhood, but also at a raised temperature 

 unaccompanied by neighbourhood of light ; also its effect on the 

 workers exposed to the vapour, before the mill is ventilated, may be 

 prejudicial in the extreme. 



Observations. — In the above pages I have endeavoured to give a 

 digest, to the best of my power, of the main points which have been 

 recorded regarding this destructive flour pest, since it came under 

 notice some thirteen years ago, including in this — detailed description 

 of its appearance and of its habits ; its geographical distribution ; 

 preventive measures both requisite and easy of application to an extent 

 to very considerably lessen amount of its presence ; and remedial 

 measures which appear to me to be at the best temporary in their 

 action, very costly, very troublesome where consisting of mechanical 

 treatment, and where of chemical treatment involving risk of many 

 kinds. 



These abstracts of observations, ranging over thirteen years, I have 

 arranged from reports sent from millers in this country to myself, 

 sometimes in extenso, sometimes giving the subject of their communi- 

 cations ; also from the foreign and American works of authority on 

 the subject ; and, looking at the whole matter practically, it seems to 

 me tliat the best that can be done, as shown by our own plain common 

 sense, and those points most especially dwelt on in official reports are 

 keeping out the pest so far as may be done by : — 



Firstly, refusing all infested consignments of flour, great or small, 

 from cargoes downwards. 



Secondly, where there may be suspicion, quarantining the flour 

 apart, so that no evil may spread from it until it is found 

 whether the pinkish Ephestia caterpillars are present, or moths 

 develop. 



