26 THE FIG MOTH. 
of hair and of matting and some insect webbing. Some figs were 
also badly soured, some were lightly covered with dirt and mold, and 
altogether the boxful presented a filthy appearance. 
Chttn. No. 119G. Mixed Figs Sterilized by Dry Heat at 190.5° F. 
Sample 21. — Labeled by E. G. Smyth " Figs sterilized in oven by dry heat Sep- 
tember 21, 1910, subjected to 5 minutes average temperature 88° C. 
(190|° F.), Smyrna, Turkey in Asia." Received at Washington, D. C, 
November 5, 1910. 
Examination showed absolute freedom from insects and even from 
excreta. Kept> in nearly air-tight jars, the figs retained their flavor 
without acidity until March 8, 1911, when the record was closed. 
The flavor of these figs, although they were rather dry, was better 
than that of some of the best layer figs sterilized by hot water. 
Chttn. No. 1197. Locoum Figs Sterilized by Dry Heat at 225° F. 
Sample 28. — Labeled " Grand Hotel Huck, Locoum figs sterilized in oven by dry 
heat, September 20, 1910; 15 minutes, average temperature 107° C. 
(225° F.), packed by E. G. Smyth," examined March 8, 1911; contents, 
24 figs. 
Six figs showed excreta mostly in the " eye " end and with some 
slight amount of loose excreta, which was removed almost immedi- 
ately upon shaking. The remainder of the figs was sound, and 
although kept in a dry heated atmosphere they were of excellent 
flavor, although somewhat dry. 
N. Y. 23782, 23139, 22758 and 22760, Portugal Tapnets. 
/Samples Nos. 29, 30, 31. — From the Bureau of Chemistry were re- 
ceded the above samples of Portugal " tapnets " or bagged figs with- 
held because of infestation by what may be properly called the fig 
mite (Carpoglyphus passularum Hering). The species was identified 
by Mr. Nathan Banks, of this bureau, who stated that it is a com- 
mon species found on dried fruit the world over, that it is not the 
cause of the souring of the figs, and in no way injurious to the con- 
sumer. There can be no doubt that this decision gives these forms 
of mites the same status as those found in other stored foods such as 
flour, meal, and other cereals and in old sugar and cheese. In fact, 
the latter commodity is seldom free from these microscopic creatures, 
which have never been held to be in any way injurious to human life. 
No less than 516 bags of such figs were seized and held in New York 
City, but were finally released. 
