152 ANOBIUM PERTINAX AND A. STRICTUM. 



MRS. F. 



This is the work of some little beetles (Jlnobium pertinax 

 and stridum), which are most destructive to libraries. I have 

 heard of a public library which was little frequented, in which 

 twenty-seven folio volumes were perforated in a straight line, 

 by the same insect, in such a manner that, by passing a cord 

 through the hole made by it, the twenty-seven volumes might 

 be taken up at once.* Now, Frederick, begin reading. 



* Kirljy and Spence, vol. i. 



