246 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Leiicania or Nonagria. Will the application of any amount of 

 the above solution prevent grease in these insects? If so, 

 then, indeed, we are without excuse, if we have a greasy 

 specimen in our cabinets. I am sure that, if this meets his 

 eye, Mr. Doubleday will kindly answer the following ques- 

 tion : — Take six specimens (fresh) of each of the following 

 insects, — Sesia Bembeciformis and Apiformis, Nonagria 

 Typhae and Lutosa ; apply the solution and place them in a 

 box. Let nothing else be done ; and will Mr. Doubleday 

 guarantee that, at the end of six months or more, there shall 

 not be a greasy specimen among the twenty-four insects ? If 

 so, I can say no more. As regards mites, Mr. N. says he 

 assumes that camphor is used to prevent their attacks. Most 

 unquestionably ; and I firmly believe that it does do so. 

 Like him, I am no believer in what is called " spontaneous 

 generation ;" but surely he will allow that mites may, and do, 

 find admission into his cabinets, or store-boxes, by other 

 means than either this or the unhappy transference of a 

 mite-bearing specimen into his collection ? According to 

 my present light (but I am open to conviction) I am aware 

 of no infallible remedy against grease, except the removal of 

 the contents of the body ; and, as regards mites, I have fo'und 

 no box or cabinet impervious to their insidious entry, however 

 managed ; and that, where there is no camphor, there are 

 more mites. In saying this I do not mean to imply that 

 the application of Mr. Doubleday's solution may not be an 

 equally, or more effectual, preventive. I may add that, in 

 general, the only way to keep a collection in really good 

 order is constant supervision, — [Rev.] J. Greene ; Apsley 

 Road, Redland, January 3, 1871. 



Bean Weevil. — Will you kindly advise under the following 

 circumstances : — A quantity of beans, which was bought for 

 seed, is infested by a small Coleoptera ; the beans were 

 apparently intact, yet, on opening some, the beetle will 

 be found inside. What is wanted to be known is, what will 

 kill them. Will the mere fact of the cold and wet, to which 

 they would be exposed when the beans are set, kill them ? 

 or wtill some sort of washing or dressing be required to 

 destroy them ? I know you have long studied economic 

 Entomology, and should, therefore, feel much obliged by the 

 benefit of your exj)erience being brought to bear on the 



