ONISCUS. ONISCUS. 
Generic Character. 
Pedes quatuordecim, 
Antenna setaceac. 
Corpus ovale. 
Legs fourteen. 
Antenna setaceous. 
Body oval. 
Of this genus, which is not very numerous, th« 
most common species is the Oniscus Asellus, popu- 
larly known by the name of the woodlouse. It is- 
a very common insect in gardens, fields, &c. and' 
is observed in great quantities under the barks of 
decayed trees, beneath stones in damp situationSy 
&c. Its general length is about half an ineh or 
rather more, and its colour livid brown; the larger 
specimens often exhibiting a double series of pale 
spots down the back: like the rest of the genus it 
preys on the minuter insects. 
Oniscus Armadillo or the Medical AVoodlouse i» 
of somewhat larger size than the preceding, of a 
much darker colour, and of a polished surface: it 
is equally common with the preceding sjiecies, 
,and is found in similar situations: when suddenly 
disturbed or handled, it rolls itself up into a com- 
pletely globular form, in the miuuier of the curious 
