140 HOT-HOUSE INSECTS, &c. [Jan. 



centre of the house, and put therein a quantity of moist 

 tobacco. If it attempts to blaze or flame, sprinkle a little 

 water thereon ; and, as it consumes, continue to add to- 

 bacco until the house is entirely full of smoke, observing 

 always to do it in still, cloudy weather, or in the evening. 

 If it is windy, the smoke is carried off without having half 

 the effect, and requires more tobacco. The house must be 

 closely shut up. There are several plants whose foliage 

 is of a soft downy nature, such as Helitropiums, Calla- 

 cdrpus, Sdlvias, and many of the Lantanas, Vmcas, with 

 several others that cannot stand strong fumigation without 

 danger. These should be put down in the house, or under 

 the stage. These fumigations will have to be repeated fre- 

 quently, the time for which will easily be perceived; and, 

 when required, ought not to be delayed. Several species 

 and varieties of the same genus, rfphis, can be destroyed 

 in the like manner. 



Jlcaris tellurius, or red spider, is caused by a dry atmo- 

 sphere, and its havoc generally is obvious before it is 

 arrested. With its proboscis it wounds the fine capillary 

 vessels of the leaves. If they progress in their destructive 

 work, the leaves will prematurely decay. On this appear- 

 ance, turn up the leaf, and you will see them running 

 about with incredible swiftness. Their body is of a blood 

 colour, and their feet light red. When very numerous, 

 they work thick webs on the under side of the leaf, and 

 frequently all over it, forming a mass of half died plants, 

 decayed leaves, and thousands of spiders. The most 

 effectual remedy is a thorough syringing with water, and 

 profusely under the foliage. This being done every even- 

 ing, will subdue and eventually banish them. Had the 

 house been syringed two or three times per week, these 

 intruders would not have appeared. It is said by some 

 writers, that watering only reduces them to a temporary 

 state of inaction, and will not destroy them. Laying aside 

 the many prescribed nostrums, we assert that the pure ele- 

 ment is the most effectual cure, as well as the most easy 

 to be obtained.* 



Thrips, order Hemiptera, are insects so minute as 



* Fumes of sulphur is instant death to them; but it has to be 

 used with great caution and experience. 



