52 Insect Life : Its Why and Wherefore 
receptacle for treacle, brown sugar, or 
beer. This is approached by a number of 
apparently sound metallic paths ; each 
pathway, however, when the insect treads 
upon it turns over and precipitates it into 
a well beneath, from which owing to the 
slipperiness of its steep sides it is unable to 
escape. The most humane way to get rid 
of the contents is to empty it into a hole 
in the ground, and bury the cockroaches, or 
else, cruel as it sounds at first, empty 
them into a vessel of perfectly boiling 
water, or a strong solution of soda. Death 
is then merciful in that it is instantaneous. 
Having rid yourself of the major portion 
of the colony the methods mentioned above 
will cause the others to slowly and gradually 
disappear. Needless to say, all food, even 
to crumbs on the floor, all boots, and 
indeed everythng that could possibly afford 
the least attraction should be always 
carefully put away every night. 
I have found, personally, that a hedgehog 
is a most useful animal to keep in the house. 
They are easily tamed, and will become 
almost affectionate. If you can secure a 
young one and feed it with a little bread 
