132 THIRTIETH KEPORT ON THE STATE MUSEUM. [20] 



examples were taken upon the windows of my residence at 

 Schenectady. After the middle of May, a systematic search 

 instituted for them, gave several examples each day. In the 

 six days from May 17th to 22d, forty-four specimens were 

 taken from the three windows of two upper rooms. Should 

 investigation show that the beetle is drawn to the windows 

 before the deposition of its eggs, their ready capture and 

 destruction at this time will offer an easy method of prevent- 

 ing their increase. 



Should this insect continue to increase until its complete 

 naturalization shall make it as common as A. varius (a dozen 

 or more of which may sometimes be seen feeding on a single 

 flower), it is difficult to conceive how, under such a visita- 

 tion, the comfort of carpets can still be indulged in within our 

 homes. Even now, when it has barely commenced its rav- 

 ages, it is reported as having inflicted very serious pecuniary 

 losses in several instances, where carpets have been entirely 

 ruined ; and such terror has its presence imparted, that not 

 a few prudent housekeepers have already abandoned the cus- 

 tomary nailing of their carpets to the floor, that frequent 

 examinations may be made during the summer months for 

 the discovery and destruction of the unwelcome guest. 



The remarkable invasion of a dwelling in Cold Spring, 

 ON". Y., in the summer of 1874, after a twelve months' absence 

 of the family in Europe, was by a larva of Anthrenus (as de- 

 termined by Dr. Packard), which is now believed to have been 

 this species. According to the statement made, " they *took 

 complete possession, from the cellar to the attic, in every nook 

 and crevice of the floors, under matting and carpets, behind 

 pictures, and eating every thing in their way.' ' From this 

 account we may infer an almost incalculable capability of 

 increase if left to itself, and draw the lesson of the absolute 

 necessity of combatting its invasion by every means in our 

 power. 



It will unquestionably prove an exceedingly difficult pest 

 to dislodge. The ordinary applications of camphor, pepper, 

 tobacco, turpentine, carbolic acid, etc., are powerless against 

 it. It has even been asserted that it u grows fat" on these 

 substances. An effectual means of destruction, and prevent- 

 ive against new invasions, is still to be discovered. The free 

 use of benzine has been recommended in some of our journals, 

 to be used in the saturation of cotton, with which to fill the 



