Abstract: A strip for fastening elements, each having a shank and a head, and including a plurality of holding sections joined to each other so that each can temporarily hold a fastening element, whereby a first holding section has a receptacle for a shank of a fastening element, whereby the receptacle defines a fastening direction in which a fastening device can drive the fastening element out of the receptacle and into a substrate, and whereby the receptacle has a face opening on the head side that closes off the receptacle opposite from the fastening direction, and whereby an edge of the face opening on the head side is slanted at an acute angle with respect to the fastening direction.

Abstract: Aromatic .alpha.-hydroxyamides are disclosed, which are useful as active components in insect repellent compositions. Suitable compounds are derivatives of mandelic acid amide, such as N,N-diethyl-D,L-mandelic acid amide.