NOTES AND QUEBIES. 433 



It was so loud and ear-piercing as to leave an unpleasant and irritating void 

 in the ear when it momentarily ceased. Although the room was scantily 

 furnished, in a manner suitable to a hot climate, several minutes elapsed 

 before we could discover the large bright green grasshopper (about two 

 inches long) which was producing the sound while perched in a conspicuous 

 position. The sound gave us no idea of the direction from which it pro- 

 ceeded. Cicadas, crickets, &c, become silent (p. 160) if you approach them 

 closely (not, however, when they are in a tree twenty feet or so overhead), 

 but begin to trill again if you keep quite still. — 0. V. Aplin (Bloxham, 

 Oxon). 



PRESERVATION OF ZOOLOGICAL SPECIMENS. 



Dermestes lardarius eating Specimens of Moths.— Some weeks ago I 

 set eight specimens of Sphinx ligustri, and in a few days I noticed that the 

 bodies of the insects had been disturbed and the paper which covered the 

 setting-boards had been eaten. I removed the insects, and from one of them 

 there came out two Dermestes lardarius beetles ; I examined every one of the 

 ligustri, but found no more Dermestes. The ligustri were put into a store-box, 

 and on looking at them a few days ago I found their bodies completely eaten 

 away ; so much so that with the slightest touch the wings came off and 

 out rolled a number of the larvae of the Dermestes, a disgusting creature, and 

 the greatest enemy of the zoological collector; but I have never before 

 heard of their attacking entomological specimens. I have many thousands 

 of butterflies and moths here, from all parts of the world, but this is the 

 first time a Dermestes has given me any trouble in this direction. 



NoN-porsoNOus Preservatives. — Three years ago I made a trip to 

 India for sporting and collecting purposes, and had the great misfortune 

 to consult one of the leading firms of taxidermists in London, and following 

 their advice I applied no poison to any of the skins and heads I got, with 

 the result that when I reached home the specimens were swarming with 

 Dermestes, and many quite spoilt. Now on former expeditions, of which I 

 have made several, I have always poisoned my skins, &c, liberally, and not a 

 single Dermestes has ever bothered me before. I should like to know what 

 the experience of other sporting collectors is in this matter — to be able to 

 dispense with poisons is very attractive, and has no doubt tempted many 

 to do without them — but I wonder how they have got on. Every room 

 in my house is filled with heads, skins, and preserved specimens of all 

 sorts, most of which are poisoned, and none of which, I am thankful to 

 say, have been touched. There is, however, clear proof that Dermestes is 

 on hand, and how to guard against the ravages of his hairy larva with the 

 appetite of a hog, and who is the incarnation of everything pestiferous, is a 

 matter of considerable anxiety just now. Any hints or suggestions would 

 be thankfully received. — C. Dallas (Wootton, Lyoiington, Hants). 



