ground some of the burrows are so large as to enable a man 
to insert liis hand. They are often of considerable length, 
several feet, and their depth varies a great deal, but seldom 
exceeds 18 inches below the surface. 
In an infected area holes partially stopped up may be 
noticed. These are holes leading to burrows where it may 
be safely concluded that crickets are contained. To con- 
tinually dig out these crickets costs a great deal of time and 
labour and it vnll be found that the Carbon bisulphide ap- 
plied in the following way is most effective and very cheap. 
I have treated 108 holes in 1 hour 20 minutes having to find 
and clear the holes myself. 
Three coolies is a useful number to treat the holes. 
One man to go in front and mark the holes the other two 
to apply the poison. 
Take a piece of cotton wool about the size of an or- 
dinary thimble and soak this in the Carbon bisulphide, in- 
sert quickly into the hole, and close with some of the 
surrounding earth. As the efficacy of the application 
depends on the distribution of the gas through the burrow, 
it is advisable to dig away a little of the earth surrounding 
the entrance hole, so as to make a clear space for the in- 
sertion of the cotton wool. A small knife is the best im- 
plement for this purpose. When treating an infected field 
the coolies must be made to treat the holes systematically 
in order to insure the Carbon bisulphide being contained 
within the burrows. Treatment of holes here and there is 
useless as the gas escapes through other exits and further 
the cricket is able to retreat. 
There is no necessity to close the entrance very tightly 
as by so doing one is liable on a sandy soil to stop up the 
passage behind the cotton wool which is disastrous. 
Coolies must he informed that Carbon bisulphide is a 
very dangerous substance if any light is brought close to 
it, farther the bottle must always be kept corked otherwise 
a great deal of the liquid will evaporate. 
The best time to apply the Carbon bisulphide is be- 
tween the hours of 4 to 6 p.m. 
H. C. Pratt. 
Note. Notes on the Bmckytrupes have already ap- 
peared in the Bulletin (see Vol. IV. 457 ; Vol. V. 69). 
The animal is very abundant in the Singapore Botanic 
Gardens and is often to be seen in and about the rubber, 
but as there is plenty of grass about it does no harm, con- 
tently itself with eating grass blades. 
