221 Indian Museum Notes, [Vol. IV, 



could be seen swiftly winding their way to a less noisy and sulphurous districts. 

 The combined police and ryot attack on the intruders lasted until 1-30 p.m., and 

 certainly in my opinion saved the surrounding country from much damage for 

 which the Bora who suggested the idea, should receive every credit. 



" 6. My object in submitting this report is to show, that gun-powder appears 

 to be more efficacious than any other suggestion or scheme that I have ever 

 heard mooted for the prevention of locusts settling on crops, as after the com- 

 mencement of the firing, the creatures flew up to a very great height and hovered 

 for some time over head apparently dismayed by the extraordinary reception th sy 

 had received." 



2. Easy method of compounding arsenical solution for the 

 destruction of locusts. 



The following is an extract taken from a note by Mr. D. Hooper 

 Curator, Economic Section, Indian Museum, on the preparation of an 

 arsenical solution for the destruction of locusts : — 



" Arsenic is very insoluble in water, and an alkali, such as soda or potash, is 

 always required to dissolve it freely. 



'• Lime is unsuitable as a solvent, as it is not very soluble in water itself and it 

 forms unstable compounds with arsenic. 



" The ashes of wood and of plants are commonly met with in or near all native 

 dwellings and a liquor made from the ashes would form a convenient solvent for 

 the poison. 



*' From experiments made with ashes taken from a fire-place where wood was 

 used as fuel, I find that one part of white arsenic is rendered soluble by 

 boiling it with the liquid obtained from ten parts of the ash. One pound of the ashes 

 is mixed with water and strained and washed with more water until the solution 

 amounts to four gallons. The liquid is tnen heated in a vessel and the arsenic 

 added and the heating continued until no residue is left. The solution when 

 cold is preserved for use." 



