RUBBER 621 



This machine pumps the fumes of arsenic and sulphur 

 into the galleries of the termites. A source of infection 

 having been located in some decaying log, a deep trench 

 is dug round the spot. This will expose the efferent 

 galleries, which are said to be of a lenticular section of 

 over i in. in diameter and in. high. They usually 

 run from i to 2 ft. below the surface of the ground. The 

 infested log is first dealt with. If it is impracticable to 

 burn it, a hole should be bored into the hollow portion 

 of the wood and the deadly fumes pumped into it. Exits 

 from which smoke emerges should be blocked with clay. 

 Should the log be a large one, a series of holes must be 

 successively bored and fumigated, care being taken to 

 plug up the previous hole before making a fresh one. 

 Attention must next be given to the efferent galleries 

 disclosed on the outer walls of the trench, and the fumes 

 injected into these one by one. Wherever the smoke is 

 seen to escape which may be many yards away from 

 the point of injection such exits must be stopped with 

 earth or clay. Living rubber trees that have been partially 

 hollowed out by the insects may be treated in the same 

 way. Where, from the nature of the soil, it is impossible 

 to trace the galleries, deep hoeing of the infested area 

 has been recommended. Infected areas may be isolated 

 by surrounding them with a 4 ft. trench. It would appear 

 that the insects are dependent upon dead wood for their 

 continued existence. In the absence of such material 

 they may subsist for a time in the living trees, but will 

 not thrive under such conditions, and will eventually die 

 out. It is consequently most important to rid the planta- 

 tion of fallen timber and decaying stumps of trees. This 

 may not be practicable in heavily timbered new clearings, 

 but should be the object at which to aim. The early 

 destruction of all logs found to contain the termites is 

 essential. 



In Brazil, Coptotermes marabitanos is said to attack 

 the areas of wood exposed by tapping the rubber trees. 



Neuroptera. 



This Order can scarcely be said to be represented in 

 our catalogue of rubber pests, but I have a record of a 



