THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 83 



Noctiia, damaging itself if entrapped. I may mention that 

 while these lumbering paraphernalia were looming in an ad- 

 jacent coppice, I often succeeded in attracting many moths at 

 a window of the house by the aid of an ordinary candle, thus 

 proving that it was a fair night for collecting by that means. — • 

 M. Bourne ; Seitlewood, April 23, 1870. 



Dermestes murinus destructive to Hides. — The beetle and 

 its larva, which I send you, were taken from some bales of 

 tanned sheep-skins, just arrived per " Buckton Castle" from 

 Melbourne. Upon opening one of the bales it was found that 

 some of the bundles of skins of which the bale was composed 

 contained numerous holes, about a quarter of an inch in 

 diameter, made by the larva, and as the bundles are so made 

 up that each skin is folded several times, one track of per- 

 forations has gone as frequently through the same skin, 

 rendering some quite useless. A like case occurred about 

 four or five years ago in leather from Australia, which was 

 found upon arrival in a similar condition. This leather was, 

 however, much thicker, consisting of tanned ox-hides, of the 

 kind used for soles of boots, and was about a quarter of an 

 inch in thickness. In this case the larva? were afterwards 

 found in great numbers crawling about a wall, but it was 

 supposed the cold weather killed them. I have never known 

 a case of English leather being attacked in this way, though 

 I am continually seeing large quantities. — Alpheus Smith; 

 42, Choumert Road, Peckham. 



[The beetle is Dermestes murinus: its ravages in this 

 instance are fearful. — Edivard Newman.'\ 



Myrmica domestica. — 1 am seeking a little advice from 

 you with regard to Myrmica domestica. I have taken a 

 shop in which are a great many of them. I want to know if 

 they are destructive to bread and confectionery, and if there 

 is any way of getting rid of them. You will oblige me very 

 much by sending a reply as early as you can, as the shop is 

 now empty, and there is a good chance for an operation : 

 please make your own charge, and I shall be glad to remit it. 

 — John Gillam ; 39, Carver Street, Manchester, April 5, 

 1870. 



[1 make no charge : mine is " advice gratis." I have 

 known many houses in London in which this little ant is a 

 great nuisance, but not so much on account of the goods 



