PTINUS FUR. 239 



we narrowly watched in one instance, with a view to 

 ascertain this point, continued their light till consi- 

 derably after midnight.* 



PTINUS FUR.f 



THE destructive habits of this insect in museums 

 are well-known. I have, however, had more reason, 

 in my own case, to lament its ravages in my library ; 

 and I do not remember to have ever heard book 

 collectors in general complain of its attacks in this 

 way. A large number of my books, however, have 

 suffered, principally in their bindings ; and I do not 

 find Russia leather any security, though its strong 

 smell is thought by some to be prejudicial, or at 

 least disagreeable, to insects in general. The leather 

 of the bindings, however, is not the only part they 

 devour : they often attack the paper and pasteboard 

 of which the covers are made ; and also the little 

 cylindrical rolls, fastened down with thread, which 

 appear at the top and bottom of most bound books. 



* A more interesting fact, connected with the shining of these 

 insects, has been lately made known, though it may require fur- 

 ther observation to decide that this is generally the case ; viz. 

 that the female puts out her light immediately after her connexion 

 with the other sex. It is well known that the female insect alone 

 shines to any degree, and it has been supposed that she is endued 

 with this property for the purpose of attracting the male, which is 

 winged, she herself being apterous; and, if this is correct, it seems 

 a priori probable that the light would be extinguished when its 

 services were no longer required. See Ann. des Sci. Nat. 2nde 

 srie, torn, xviii. p. 379. 



t Stephens's Man. p. 200. 



