INSECTS AFFECTING MAN AND ANIMALS 393 



Mallophaga. The Pediculidce are confined to mammals, the 

 three species found on man and a few that infest domestic ani- 

 mals being the best known. The mouth parts are fused to form 

 a flexible sucking tube, and the feet are provided with a single 

 strong curved claw which enables them to cling to the hair of 

 tfrjir host. The head-louse, Pediculus capitis, is very annoying 

 on account of the intense itching caused by the bite. The 

 eggs, called "nits," are attached to hairs, and are very hard 



FIG. 181. The sucking louse of the horse, Hamatopinus asini. (About 



twenty times natural size.) 



to remove. These lice are never common where clean- 

 liness is the rule, but under certain conditions they may 

 be met with. Thorough combing and washing followed 

 by an application of pomade, vaseline or some such greasy 

 substance will get rid of the pest. The body lice, P. 

 vestimenti, known as "graybacks," "crumbs," "seam-squir- 

 rels." live on the body and hide among the clothing. 

 They sometimes become very serious pests where the 

 surroundings are not sanitary, but can be controlled by 



