METHODS IN THE ART OF TAXIDERMY. ..^ 



Anthernus. — /Inother pest is the " buffalo bug," AntJiermis lepidiis 

 Linn., and, like the tiiica larva, the "buffalo bug" larva cuts leather, 

 woolen goods or fur. The adult is a small, round, brown beetle with 

 white or variegated scales on the wing covers. The larva.% which do 

 ,the damage, are short, plump worms with numerous stiff brown hairs. 



Remedies. — Whenever any of your specimens are attacked by the 

 larvce of moths, Dermestes, etc., a simple and most effective remedy 

 for destroying the insects and their larvae is by the use of the corrosive 

 sublimate solution, as given on page 3.3. It may be applied on hair or 

 feathers by spraying with an atomizer. This is a strong, volatile 

 solution and should be used with care. A weakened arsenical solu- 

 tion, the same as that given on page 34 and as directed in poisoning 

 feathers and hair, page 35, may also be applied in the same manner. 

 A solution of alcohol and arsenic may be used with similar effect. 

 When poisoned with either of the above it is impossible for an insect 

 to live in the hair or feathers. 



Before applying any of these solutions to hair or feathers their 

 strength should be tested by dipping black feathers or hair into the 

 liquid and allowing it to dry. If a white deposit forms the solution is 

 too strong and should be weakened. In tight cases naphthaline cones 

 or crystals may be used. 



One of the very best remedies to use on infected specimens is to 

 spray them with benzine containing a percentage of arsenical solution. 

 This makes a very volatile and effective poison ; the benzine carries 

 the arsenic to the roots of the hair or feathers and deposits the poison 

 " all along the line." The fumes of the h^wzwi^ immediately destroy alt 

 larvce and eggs ; after the benzine evaporates the arsenic " will hold its 

 own" for all time. Care should be taken not to make this solution too 

 strong of arsenic ; it should be tested as above directed. Wherever 

 the arsenic forms a deposit it can be washed out with warm water 

 and sponge. 



When the feathers of your birds have been eaten in two in various 

 places and the feathers of the tail and wings begin to drop out; when 

 the larvae are visible, and the hair of your mammals pull out easily 

 from the roots, their preservation is a matter of no small diflRculty. 

 In such cases the bird or mammal may be taken from its pedestal and 

 literally soaked with this solution. In a valuable article by John B. 

 Smith, entitled : 



"Some Observations on jMuseum Pests"- the author states that 

 the only real chance of safety consists in constant examination, tight 



t Published in the proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, Vol. 1, No. 2, p. 113. 



