It was so loud and ear-piercing as to leave an unpleasant and irritating void in the ear when it momentarily ceased. Although the room was scantily furnished, in a manner suitable to a hot climate, several minutes elapsed before we could discover the large bright green grasshopper (about two inches long) which was producing the sound while perched in a conspicuous position. The sound gave us no idea of the direction from which it proceeded. Cicadas, crickets, &c, become silent (p. 160) if you approach them closely (not, however, when they are in a tree twenty feet or so overhead), but begin to trill again if you keep quite still.—O.V. Aplin (Bloxham, Oxon).
PRESERVATION OF ZOOLOGICAL SPECIMENS.
Dermestes lardarius eating Specimens of Moths.—Some weeks ago I set eight specimens of Sphinx ligustri, and in a few days I noticed that the bodies of the insects had been disturbed and the paper which covered the setting-boards had been eaten. I removed the insects, and from one of them there came out two Dermestes lardarius beetles; I examined every one of the ligustri, but found no more Dermestes. The ligustri were put into a store-box, and on looking at them a few days ago I found their bodies completely eaten away; so much so that with the slightest touch the wings came off and out rolled a number of the larvæ of the Dermestes, a disgusting creature, and the greatest enemy of the zoological collector; but I have never before heard of their attacking entomological specimens. I have many thousands of butterflies and moths here, from all parts of the world, but this is the first time a Dermestes has given me any trouble in this direction.
Non-poisonous Preservatives.—Three years ago I made a trip to India for sporting and collecting purposes, and had the great misfortune to consult one of the leading firms of taxidermists in London, and following their advice I applied no poison to any of the skins and heads I got, with the result that when I reached home the specimens were swarming with Dermestes, and many quite spoilt. Now on former expeditions, of which I have made several, I have always poisoned my skins, &c, liberally, and not a single Dermestes has ever bothered me before. I should like to know what the experience of other sporting collectors is in this matter—to be able to dispense with poisons is very attractive, and has no doubt tempted many to do without them—but I wonder how they have got on. Every room in my house is filled with heads, skins, and preserved specimens of all sorts, most of which are poisoned, and none of which, I am thankful to say, have been touched. There is, however, clear proof that Dermestes is on hand, and how to guard against the ravages of his hairy larva with the appetite of a hog, and who is the incarnation of everything pestiferous, is a matter of considerable anxiety just now. Any hints or suggestions would be thankfully received.—C. Dallas (Wootton, Lymington, Hants).
