December 205 



flower, while the beetle wings did duty for the 

 leaves. Each otolith and beetle-wing was edged 

 round with fine gold braid, which kept them firmly 

 in place, and also formed the connecting stems. 

 The beetle wings had to be pierced with a very 

 small needle and each sewn on separately with 

 fine green silk. The ear-bones will not admit of 

 piercing, so two stitches of white silk across either 

 end attached them firmly to the satin. 



The plate will give an idea of the effect, which 

 is remarkably good, and my rather original banner 

 screen has, I must say, been much admired. 



Rose-beetles are not usually to be found in any 

 number, but an even better result may be obtained 

 by Indian beetle-wings, which are sold at all 

 Berlin-wool shops. 



The otoliths must of course be saved up from 

 our daily repast until we have sufficient for the 

 purpose : the ear-bones of the haddock are, I think, 

 the most suitable for this novel fancy-work. 



To add a little varied colour to my screen, I 

 embroidered a few butterflies, copied from nature, 

 in coloured silks and introduced them with good 

 effect amongst the jasmine sprays. 



The screen is made up with old gold cord and 

 tassels, and lined with silk of the same colour. 



SCALE INSECTS 



I have made an acquaintance more curious than 

 agreeable, in the shape of the destructive orange-scale 

 insect. I find it constantly appearing upon the stem 

 and leaves of a small seedling orange tree which I 



