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1878.] Zhe New Carpet Beetle—Anthrenus Scrophularia. 54I 
It is known to have become almost ubiquitous in a house 
which had been for some time occupied by it, notwithstanding 
the persistent efforts made for its extirpation. Its exuviæ were 
encountered in trunks, boxes, tied-up packages, drawers, beneath 
floor oil-cloths, etc. Late in the season (October) clusters’ of 
twelve or more of the full-grown living larva were disclosed, to 
the disgust and dismay of the housekeeper, in turning over a 
paillasse, the borders of which they had selected as a safe retreat 
on which to undergo their final transformation. 
I have this present year found that a convenient place in which 
to discover the beetle, is upon the windows of the infested rooms 
during the day. In the latter part of April examples were taken 
upon the windows of my residence in Schenectady. After the 
middle of May, a systematic search instituted for them, gave sev- 
eral examples each day. In the six days from May 17th to 22d, 
forty-four specimens were taken from the three windows of two 
upper rooms. Should investigation show that the beetle is drawn 
to the windows before the deposition of its eggs, their ready cap- 
ture and destruction at this time will offer an easy method of 
preventing their increase. 
Should this insect continue to increase until its complete natu- 
ralization shall make it as common as A. varius (a dozen or more 
of which may sometimes be seen feeding on a single flower), it is 
difficult to conceive how, under such a visitation, the comfort of 
carpets can still be indulged in within our homes. Even now, 
when it has barely commenced its ravages, it is reported as having 
inflicted very serious pecuniary losses in several instances, where 
carpets have been entirely ruined ; and such terror has its pres- 
ence imparted, that not a few prudent housekeepers have already 
abandoned the customary nailing of their carpets to the floor, 
that frequent examinations may be made during the summer 
months for the discovery and destruction of the unwelcome 
guest. 
The remarkable invasion of a dwelling in Cold Spring, N. Y., 
in the summer of 1874, after a twelve months’ absence of the 
family in Europe, was by a larva of Anthrenus (as determined by 
Dr. Packard), which is now believed to have been this species. 
According to the statement made, “ they took complete posses- 
sion, from the cellar to the attic, in every nook and crevice of the 
floors, under matting and carpets, behind prerureh,: and ang 
