the Thermes Destructor , and a magnified drawing of the in- 
sect were presented to the Society- 
Mr Fleurot’s paper attracted the lively interest of the mem- 
bers. It has established two important points : lo. The disco- 
very of a new therapeutic substance — formate of iron — with 
which it is hoped to combat with success certain nervous 
affections that are so common in our enervating climate 
and 2o. The discovery of an easy mode of driving away the 
insect. 
On the other and, Mr Beyts has communicated to -the So- 
ciety an extract from the “ Gazette of India ” dated 8tli Octo- 
ber 1864, of a letter by Dr. E. Bonavia, honorary Secretary 
to the Agricultural and Horticultural Society. “ In the site,” 
he says”, where the central jail is erected, the white ants exist 
in unlimited numbers, and they cat through the plaster in or- 
der to get at the cow-dung, so that the walls require to be 
constantly re-plastered.” 
“ Some time ago, Mr Marshall, the jailor, was getting so- 
me floor made from the fibres of the American aloes (Agave 
Americana), and he found white ants did not touch mats from 
this fibre. On the countrary, they always destroyed mats made 
from other materials. 
“ I then asked him what use he made of the pulp which is 
separated from the fibre of the aloe leaves. He said it was 
thrown away. It struck me that it might be very profitably 
used for mixing up with the clay and cow-dung used for plas- 
tering the jail wnlls, as then probably the white ants would 
not touch the plaster. The experiment was tried and quite 
answered the purpose. Plaster which was impregnated with 
juice and pulp of- the aloe leaves has stood for months, and is 
not yet touched by white ants, while the plaster of walls free 
from aloe juice becomes covered with white ants, shortly after 
it is put on.” 
I crave indulgence for all these 'details, but if we consider 
how extensive are the ravages of this insect, , and the destruc- 
tion with which some of our large buildings arc threatened, 
we cannot lay too much stress upon the means of conquering 
so formidable an enemy, and should seek every possible remedy. 
The Society has received through the Colonial Secretary’s 
office, a circular from the Secretary of State, shewing, in a 
series of tabulated statements, the decreasing importations 
into the United Kingdom of rosins and turpentine since the 
American war. The London Board of Trade have considered 
the matter to be of sufficient importance to be brought to the 
notice of the Secretary of State with the view of its being 
communicated to the different possessions of the British em 
