9 



the flower-beetle. The fact of its riot having been known as a carpet 

 pest in Europe, is doubtless owing to the very few carpets that are used 

 in that country their use there being almost wholly confined to the 

 winter season, while during the summer months, the period in which the 

 larvae commit their ravages, they are withdrawn from the floors and 

 carefully stored and protected from harm. 



It is a very common insect in Europe. In a catalogue of the Coleoptera 

 of Norway, by H. Tiebke, published in 1875 (Catalogum Loleoptorum In- 

 sectorum Norvegicorum), it is recorded as "of frequent occurrence in 

 various localities in Norway [thirteen cited], principally upon umbellifer- 

 ous flowers, during the months of June, July and August." 



Judging from the rate of increase and distribution of other insect pests 

 introduced from the Eastern world, and from the history thus far of the 

 species under consideration, there is every reason to believe that before 

 many years have elapsed, this most unwelcome guest of our homes will 

 become as abundant among us as it is, at present, in Europe. When that 

 time arrives, a carpeted floor, now regarded as a necessity in almost the 

 humblest home, will then be the exception, unless more effectual meas- 

 ures against the new enemy shall have been discovered. But with the 

 rest which we predict for the looms of our carpet manufacturers, we fore- 

 see a wonderfully increased importation of Persian rugs. The pleas 

 which will come up from the length and breadth of our land for the 

 coveted rug will be too powerful to resist, when urged by coaxing lips 

 with such arguments as-^" so much more cleanly, and then, you know, 

 so much cheaper than a carpet ; for, not reaching to the walls, under 

 which the horrid carpet-bug hides, we shall not have to buy a new one 

 every year." 



THE FLEA Pulex irritam (Linn.). 



From a neighboring city and an adjoining State (Boston, Massachu- 

 setts), comes notes of alarm, occasioned by the sudden increase during 

 the year 1877, and an invasion, in 1878, of the common flea. Dr. Hagen 

 states, that eleven years ago, while this well-known insect was satisfac- 

 torily common in New York and Canada, it was so rare in New England 

 that he did not believe that it existed there at all. K was a long time 

 before he could procure a human flea for an examination which he 

 desired to make all which were brought to him were dog or cat-fleas. 

 Simultaneous with the above invasion, the cat-flaa became exceedingly 

 abundant. In many of the streets of the suburbs of Boston, cats might 

 be seen having their body nearly covered with the Persian insect powder. 

 From Medford, in Massachusetts, a phial of flea eggs was received, 

 which a lady had taken from a spot on her sofa which a pet cat had 

 appropriated for her resting place ; and similar instances of the propa- 

 gation of the cat-flea were elsewhere observed. 



Many residences in the city of Boston and in its suburbs, have become 

 infested by the human flea, in such number as seriously to detract from 

 the comfort of carpeted floors. To those suffering from this remarkable 

 invasion of their homes by a most annoying pest, of wonderful powers of 

 increase, the diminutive size and agility of which renders its capture by 

 hand almost an impossibility, Dr. Hagen has been able to suggest a 

 very simple method of capture and destruction, which has long been 

 practiced in Poland, that " paradise of fleas/' and which it may be well 

 for us to bear in mind against a" time of need, should the Massachusetts 

 invasion extend to New York. It is simply to place on the floor of the 



