242 LETTERS TO DR. SCHOYEN [CHAP. xxt. 



The first thing in working on a nest of any size was to get a 

 pair of scissors, long in the blades, thin, and also very sharp. 

 Then carefully make a clean vertical cut through the paper- 

 case of the nest from the entrance below nearly to the top. 

 Through this great gash I had no difficulty in removing the 

 combs so to say (although it is a disagreeable word) 

 "eviscerating" the nest. I began with the smallest and 

 lowest comb. Inserting my scissors horizontally I snipped 

 through the little paper pillars by which it was connected 

 with the comb above and withdrew it in a very convenient 

 way, with fingers or forceps (or very likely by help of the 

 scissors) through the opening. Continuing this process I 

 do not remember that I ever failed to clear out the comb 

 successfully. It did not always require to be entirely removed, 

 if I recollect rightly. I think sometimes the upper comb 

 did not require removal. When all was cleared out, I filled 

 the empty paper case with cotton wool, and applying plenty 

 of gum to this below the slit, I very gently pressed the 

 paper back to its former position, and if the work had been 

 dexterously done, the injury did not show much. If the 

 paper had been broken of course the damage showed, and 

 it was requisite to be careful that the gum or adhesive mix- 

 ture used for keeping the cut edges in their places did not 

 run about. Sometimes where circumstances permitted, I 

 cut a little aside from the straight line in places so as to 

 secure an uninjured piece of a layer to hide part of the slit. 

 In this way very pretty specimens could be arranged, show- 

 ing both nest and comb. I have been preparing a long 

 paper on the wasp attack of last year for my next Annual 

 Report. I have had very good contributions, and hope it 

 may be liked. 



" It will give me great pleasure to attend to any inquiry 

 the Hon. Sec. of the Museum may care to send me as to 

 starting a collection of pests to agriculture, and I think I 

 might be able to help with suggestions where specimens 

 are procurable. 



" Many thanks for your suggestion as to membership, but 

 I do not care to belong to more Societies than I can 

 possibly help, so I hope you will forgive my not accepting 

 your kind offer."] 



March 10, 1898. 



DEAR DR. SCHOYEN, In reply to your inquiry whether 

 any measures are being taken in this country to prevent the 

 introduction of the San Jose Scale, Aspidiotusperniciosus, I am 

 not aware of any such measures being in contemplation. I 



