ig ea 
is known to occur. The custom of botanists of poisoning their plants 
with corrosive sublimate to protect them from various enemies, such as 
book mites, Psoci, ete., should give immunity from the attacks of this 
insect if the poison has been thoroughly applied. If to the corrosive 
sublimate a quantity of arsenic is added the protection will be more 
effectual. I would also recommend as very useful in disinfecting her- 
baria of this and other pests an air-tight quarantine box of zine or 
galvanized iron, in which plants may be temporarily placed and sub- 
mitted to the fumes of bisulphide of carbon, which are very sure to 
destroy all insect life. 
The fact that this insect has appeared on dry plants from the com- 
paratively arid western regions may furnish a clue to its original habit. 
Tt would seem possible, if not probable, that it normally feeds on the 
dead or dry plants of Mexico and adjacent arid regions, and that it has 
simply adapted itself to the somewhat similar conditions prevailing in 
herbaria. 
This is the first true Geometrid, so far as I know, recorded as feeding 
on dry and dead vegetation. In the Pyralidina a number of species are 
known to be not only truly carnivorous, 
feeding on other insects, but also to feed 
upon grass and rejectimenta as well as dead 
leaves. Some Tineina are also known to 
have similar habits, while in the Deltoid 
group of the Noctuids several genera are 
known to me as feeding on dead leaves. 
Thus Helia (Epizeuris) emula Hiibn. (Fig. 8) 
has been found in the autumn feeding on 
dead leaves of Hickory in Virginia, the larva ae Set eee ee a, 
hibernating and the imago issuing the fol- Hae of aa pei Riese ce 
lowing spring. Palthis asopialis Guen. and ?, 4, and ¢, enlarged (original). 
Zanclognatha minivalis Grote (Fig. 9) have also been found feeding on 
the dead leaves of Oak. These facts are recorded 
in Packard’s Report on Forest Insects (Fifth 
Report U.S. Entomological Commission) from 
my notes, but it is worthy of remark that 
Packard also bred H. emula from larve beaten 
from spruce trees, though whether they were 
feeding on the dead leaves or on the living was 
not ascertained. So Helia americalis Guen. (Fig. 
10), as recorded by me in the American Natu- 
ralist, October, 1883, has been found in the nests 
of Formica integra Nylander (which, according 
Fic. 10. Helia americatig: a, to Mr. Pergande, isaraceof rufa). It was origi- 
larva and moth; }, joint of nally found in such nests by Messrs. Pergande 
ees ena and Schwarz and has since been ascertained to 
larged (original). be very common in such situations. Yet Guenée 
records this species, but without authority, as living on leguminous 
