230 HOUSE, GARDEN, AND FIELD 



testimony in support of the ticking of Atropos is too strong 

 to be overpowered by mere opinions as to what it can 

 or cannot do. One of my friends, a very keen observer, 

 traced the ticking sound on five different occasions to 

 an Atropos, and in each case as soon as the insect was 

 removed the sound ceased. If we are to retain the 

 name of Death-watch at all, we must recognise that 

 it has no scientific value. There are several species 

 of ticking insects, and they belong to widely different 

 groups. 



It is not difficult to abate the attacks of these small 

 insects, and to stop the destruction of furniture as well 

 as the ticking sound. The infected object must first be 

 discovered, and then an appropriate treatment can usually 

 be devised. It is often most convenient to apply strong 

 poisons in the form of vapour. If the infected object can 

 be placed in a tightly closed case, together with a saucer 

 of carbon disulphide or benzine, and left for a few days, 

 the beetles and their larvae will be killed. The eggs, 

 however, are not necessarily destroyed, so that watchful- 

 ness is necessary to prevent a recurrence of the attack. 

 In some cases it is possible to wash the object with benzine, 

 or to plug the holes with furniture polish. Heat is very 

 effectual, if it can be safely employed ; a temperature 

 of 80 C., maintained for some hours, destroys insects, 

 larvae, and eggs alike. 



XLIII. PHASES OF SUMMER AND 

 WINTER IN ENGLAND. 



The months may be grouped in a variety of ways, each 

 with advantages of its own. To the naturalist the most 

 important primary division is into summer and winter, 

 the leafy and the leafless seasons. If we seek to sub- 

 divide each of these, we shall find that bisection will not 

 do ; the solstitial periods cannot be halved. But a natural 



