1879. | Valentine. 177 
A species of Coreus was active at the end of two hours, but was 
ultimately overcome. A large sized katydid was deprived of 
motion at the end of ten minutes; Ca/optenus spretus likewise in 
eighteen minutes. A dragon-fly (Ledclulide) died in one hour. 
Spiders succumbed in one hour and fifteen minutes. The scent 
from the powder did not produce any bad effect upon insects sub- 
jected to its odor where actual contact was not possible. But 
when caried to the maxilla or mandibles, the effect is to produce 
complete paralysis of the motor nerves. The legs are paralyzed 
in regular order, commencing with the first pair; insects will 
sometimes live for days in this condition, but death ultimately 
results from the introduction into the mouth of the smallest 
quantity. These experiments prove that all insects having open 
mouth parts are peculiarly susceptible to this powerful drug. 
And as a result, the writer does not hesitate to recommend the 
powder to housekeepers as an infallible agent in destroying the 
carpet-beetle and preventing its ravages. Twenty-five cents’ worth 
of powder liberally sprinkled upon the floor before putting down 
a carpet, and afterward freely placed around the edges and never 
swept away, will suffice to preserve a large sized carpet. No ill 
effects from its use need be feared by the household, since if ap- 
plied in this way it will be only poisonous to all kinds of insects. 
——:0:—— 
VALENTINE. 
BY Foe W. 
PPLE buds and blossoms bourgeon 
All the hill-side over; 
Rare and sweet the pledge and presage 
Nature gives her lover. 
Buds will blossom, blossoms wither 
In the summer’s sun; 
Trees will blush with rosy fruitage 
When the summer’s done. 
Harvest-time will come and gather 
Fruits and yellow sheaves ; 
Bud and flower and fruit will vanish; 
Left to us, the leaves ! 
