183 
Each chamber is from ys to 4 of an inch in length, and about the width 
of the parent-hole. The number o chambers is about 14, but it has 
n necessar of the 
oth 
cates with the outside of the cask. It can only have been exaca 
before the cask was filled with beer; and, judging from its complexity 
and from the fact that it contains no dead. insects or larvæ, I have very 
little doubt that it was commenced while the oak was still in plank and 
completed before the cask was used. 
The system of boring seems to me to be absolutely diagnostic of a beetle 
known as Trypodendron signatum, Fabr., or one of its cogeners, 
T. domesticum. 
The last hole is commenced on the outside of the cask, only 
n the remains of a dead 
beetle, which though very fragmentary are sufficient to conárm me in 
my opinion that the boring insect is 7| rypodendron signatum, Fabr. | 
is insect is not considered to be common in England; and has 
, 
it bores vertically into the timber for about three or four inches, and at 
It usually attacks timber which is comparatively fresh, and is not in 
the least likely to attack for the first time timber on shi d. 
That the damage was at least begun when the cask was constructed 
I conclude from the fact that three holes, including the incomplete hole 
» Open on the outside of the wood where it has been covered by: 
With regard to the fact that leakage was not noticed directly the 
r was put into these unsound casks (if such is the case), I make the 
following suggestions by way of explanation :— 
l. A certain of holes may have been partly made from the 
outside, which were subsequently completed by the beetle after the cask 
was filled. 
2. The beetle holes after being bored are left filled with a dense mass 
of comminuted wood (visible in one hole now), which may have been - 
sufficient to keep in the beer fora time till increase of pressure in the 
cask from the beer working, or being kept in a warmer climate, forced 
it out. 
From the examination of these two pieces of wood I conclude :-- — —— A 
1. That the borings are caused by a beetle, Trypodendron signatum, 2 
abr. J d) NE 
2. That they were commenced at the time of construction of the o 
3. "That the eask was unsound when filled with beer... Crap 
4. That injury received by insects on board ship has nothing whatever 
to do with i eo p 
.U 93732. 875.—9/90. Wt. 1. A 2 
