7.-2 ; March, 



on upper-side, of leaves. 8. Ceroplastesfloridensis, Comst.,on upper-side of leaves. 

 An egg shell of Chrysopa was found on a leaf. Can any one tell of a greater number 

 of Coccids on any one tree ? — T. D. A. Cockeeell, Institute of Jamaica, Kingston, 

 Jamaica : January 18tk, 1893. 



Systrichopsylla taljocB, Curt. (= ohiii.iiceps, Rltn.). — This giant flea should 

 certainly retain the name of talpm, Curt., as pointed out by Mr. Dale (Ent. Mo. 

 Mag., xxvi, 161) ; since it not only has a claim to this name by the laws of priority, 

 but also by the fact that it does occasionally occur on the mole, although I think it 

 is evident that the field vole and mouse are its usual hosts. I have one specimen 

 from Mr. Piffard ofE a mole, and two set up as microscopic objects (bought) and 

 labelled, " Pulex Melis, Badger flea off Mole !" Mr. Chitty has asked me to point 

 out that in his note at p. 20 ante the sign ? was omitted in error after "Typhlopsylla 

 musculi ;" he did not wish to give a definite name, not being certain as to the 

 identity. — Edward Safndbes, St. Ann's, Woking: January 12th, 1893. 



Felt versus Pith, for mounting minute insects. — Refei-ring to Mr. McLachlan's 

 note on this subject, which appeared in the January number of the Ent. Mo. Mag., 

 I should be intei'ested to know if he or Mr. Farren has tried felt as a material for 

 holding fine pins. A few years ago I was mounting some Chironomidce and other 

 small Diptera, and used pith cut into small cubes and gummed on cards to receive 

 the pins. I believe that I tried both elder and artichoke pith, but, possibly from 

 the fact that it may not have been properly dried, it proved unsatisfactory. It then 

 occurred to me that felt might be a good substitute ; I got a piece of this material 

 from a surgical instrument maker, and cut it up with a sharp razor in the same 

 way as the pith, and the result was in every way satisfactory, and I have used 

 nothing else since. The felt is about three-eighths of an inch thick, firm in texture, 

 fairly good in colour, and will take the finest Austrian silver pins without bending 

 them ; in addition to this, it is not liable to shrink under any conditions, and cannot 

 injure the part of the pins inserted in it ; if desired it could also be soaked before 

 use, without injury, in a solution of corrosive sublimate or arsenic. When in 

 London in January I spoke to Messrs. Watkins and Doncaster on the subject of 

 "felt versus pith," and they kindly offered to get me samples of the former, these 

 they have now submitted, and I have been able to choose one which will answer my 

 purpose admirably ; no doubt Messrs. Watkins and Doncaster would show a piece 

 of the material to any one interested in the subject. —Coryndon Matthews, 

 Erme Wood, Ivybridge, South Devon : February 6th, 1893. 



. [I have had no experience of felt, but a sample that Mr. Matthews kijidly sub- 

 mitted to me seemed likely to answer the purpose, but not more so than artichoke 

 pith. I am told the latter, roughly pi'cpared, can be obtained from dealers in watch 

 makers' materials ; for entomological purposes it would no doubt require " sorting." 

 I have no experience of pith " gummed on card." The usual practice is to insert 

 the pin on which is the insect through a small cube of pith, which latter receives a 

 longer pin on which are the necessary labels. In the case of very minute insects, 

 several can be mounted on one cube or " oblong" of pith. — R. McLachlan]. 



Mould in Cabinets. — Will some kind friend advise me how to prevent a small 

 white fungus (I suppose some sort of PenicilUum) which infests my cabinets of 



