422 SUPPLEMENT 



ning backwards and forwards, and endeavouring to escape ; 

 at the least touch suspending its walk, or drawing back its 

 antennas and feet, remaining obstinately in a state of feigned 

 death, and wishing to impose, by an appearance of firmness, 

 or deceive by stratagem ; we may fancy that we recognize all 

 the combined movements which fear and reflection can inspire 

 in the principle of self-pi'eservation. 



The body of the larvae of these insects is not very hairy, 

 and is composed of twelve very distinct rings. They have a 

 scaly head, provided with very hard and trenchant mandi- 

 bles. They have six scaly feet, terminated by a claw. The 

 extremity of their body is remarkable for a tuft of very long 

 hairs. They have two antennas, and some very short barbies. 

 They change their skin several times, and the spoils remain 

 entire. When they are about to change into nymphs, they 

 seek some retired place, contract their bodies, and without 

 wearing any shell, change into the perfect insect in the course 

 of some little time. It is towards the end of summer that 

 these larvae acquire their full growth, and then cause the 

 createst decree of destruction in collections of natural his- 

 tory, and in furrieries. 



It would be vei'y much to be desired to discover efficaci- 

 ous means of removing the Dermestes, and other destructive 

 insects, from collections of animals exposed to their ravages. 

 All dealers in objects of natural history imagine, or pretend, 

 that they are in possession of secrets, the efficacy of which, 

 according to them, is always infallible. But every one is 

 aware of the small degree of confidence which ought to be 

 reposed in every thing which is announced as a secret. 

 Nevertheless, a French apothecary, M. Becoeur, has invented 

 something of this kind, which has been tried with sufficient 

 success to merit a preference, and obtain publicity. Its pre- 

 paration is this : — Take of quick lime half an ounce, of salt 

 of tartfvr a drachm and a half, of camphor five drachms, of 



