[21] THE NEW CAKPET-BFG ANTIIKENUS SCROPHULARI.E. 133 



joinings of the floors and crevices beneath the base-boards. 

 This is to be done during the winter months, at which time 

 the insect will be occupying these retreats, either in its per- 

 fect beetle form, or as eggs deposited for another brood ; 

 to either of these the direct application of benzine would be 

 fatal. To some of my correspondents I have suggested the 

 pouring of kerosene oil in the crevices of the floors, and fill- 

 ing of all places of retreat with cotton saturated with the oil. 

 I would regard this as less dangerous in its use than benzine, 

 and equally efficient. 



The recommendation recently made in several of our news- 

 papers, of the Persian insect-powder for the destruction of the 

 insect, I believe to be of no value. I have not deemed it 

 worth the trouble of experimenting with it, but I have been 

 told by those who have given it a trial that it has been 

 found to be of no avail whatever. 



The inse.ct has not as yet become sufficiently abundant in 

 New York to be found resorting to plants for its food. The 

 variety Anthrenus lepidus, which was introduced in Cali- 

 fornia sufficiently long ago to permit its complete naturaliza- 

 tion, was discovered there, in numbers, feeding upon some of 

 the Composite. The Anthrenus Darius is often found, in its 

 perfect state, taking its food from the blossoms of different 

 plants in the garden or field. I have met with it abundantly 

 on peonies. It has also been found to frequent the rocket 

 flower, Hesperis matronalis, a fragrant and showy perennial. 



If the plants known to be attractive to the A. Darius can be 

 introduced into our houses, and made to flower during the 

 months of April and May, I believe that the carpet-beetles 

 would be drawn to them in preference to windows, perhaps as 

 soon as they emerge from the pupae. 



We are unable to give at the present any precise statement 

 of its distribution. It is known in Oregon, as well as in Cali- 

 fornia. It is believed to be distributed throughout most of 

 the western States, and it is known to occur in various por- 

 tions of the State of New York. 



It is announced as having appeared in considerable force in 

 Syracuse. In Utica it has inflicted serious damage in many 

 dwellings. It has occurred at Buffalo, but not in such num- 

 bers as to have originated the name sometimes applied to it 

 the Buffalo bug a name given to it on the Pacific coast prob- 

 ably, from a fancied resemblance to that animal. Its presence 



