Mr. Janson’s report was as follows:—
“Having carefully examined the specimens of insects submitted to me under seal of Miss E. A. Ormerod, and stated to have been found in the accompanying sample of flour, named ‘Radiant,’ ‘Strathness,’ also the specimens of insects, &c. &c., I identify them as the coleopterous insect, known scientifically as Tribolium ferrugineum, in its various stages of larva (grub), pupa (chrysalis), and imago (beetle). I also find a single specimen of Trogosita mauritanica.... In considering the important question as to origin of the infestation, I am of opinion that the evidence afforded clearly indicates the origin of the infestation to have been subsequent to the arrival of the flour at Durban.”
[The case never came to trial, but the unanimity of the expert opinion enabled Messrs. Ross T. Smith & Co. to effect a compromise on terms they were willing to accept.]
The following letter addressed to us by Mr. Wm. Simpson of Messrs. R. & H. Hall, Limited, of Cork, Dublin, Belfast and Waterford, shows a similar satisfactory termination to a case in which granary weevils had done serious damage to a cargo of flour from San Francisco.
“Westport, Feb. 6, 1900. Dear Madam,—Perhaps you have not quite forgotten my visit to you in early summer of last year when I submitted for your inspection a sample of flour with weevil infestation from a cargo landed here. It will I am sure interest you to know that we have just settled the case out of Court by the owners of the vessel paying us £900 and our costs. We are pleased that the matter is thus ended, but I cannot forbear from again thanking you for all the attention and help you gave us in the case and which was to us of the greatest value. Yours very truly, (Sgd) Wm. Simpson.”
CHAPTER XI
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH BY THE EDITOR
The removal of Miss Ormerod and her sister, Georgiana, from Torquay to Spring Grove, Isleworth, was primarily because Torquay did not suit their health and secondarily because at Isleworth they were near Kew Gardens, where they were on intimate terms with Sir Joseph and Lady Hooker. They left again for Torrington House, St. Albans, in September, 1887, partly because Sir Joseph resigned the Directorship of Kew Gardens in 1885 and partly because of the increase of population, and the defective and unwholesome drainage of the house. In a letter (p. [74]) to Dr. Bethune, one of her esteemed Canadian correspondents, she refers to her impending change of residence.