110 CRUSTACEA. 



the four posterior appendages nearly equal. They are only found 

 in wet places(l). 



Oniscus, Lin. 



The true Onisci have also eight joints in their lateral antennas, 

 but their base is covered, and the two external appendages of the 

 extremity of the tail are much larger than the others. These ani- 

 mals, and those of the two following subgenera are vulgarly called 

 Clous-a-porte, and by syncope Cloporte, Porcelets de Saint -Jlntoine(2). 

 They inhabit retired and obscure places, cellars, fissures in walls, 

 old buildings, under stones, Sec, 8cc. They feed on decaying vege- 

 table and animal matters, and seldom issue from their retreat, ex- 

 cept in rainy weather. They move but slowly, unless they are 

 alarmed. The ova are inclosed in a pectoral pouch. The young, 

 at birth, have one thoracic segment less than the adult, and conse- 

 quently have but twelve feet. They are no longer employed in 

 medicine(S). 



Porcellio, Lat. 



The Porcelliones differ from the Onisci in the number of joints 

 that compose the lateral antennae, which is only seven. In their 

 other characters they are alike(4). 



There, as in 



Armadillo, Lat. 



The posterior appendages of the body do not project; the last 

 segment is triangular; a little lamina resembling a reversed trian- 

 gle, or widest and truncated at the end, formed by the last part of 

 the lateral appendages, fills, on each side, the space between that 

 segment and the preceding one. The lateral antennas have but 



(1) Oniscus sylvestris, Fab.; Oniscus muscorum, Cuv., Journ. d'Hist. Nat. II, 

 xxvi, 6, 8; Coqueb., 111. Icon. Insect, Dec. I, vi, 12. 



(2) These "Pigs of St Anthony" are our Wood-Lice Boiled in milk they still 

 constitute a favourite remedy with numerous patients, and some few equally in- 

 telligent practitioners, who attribute to them diuretic, absorbent, and aperient 

 qualities. That they may act as an emetic, I can readily admit. Am. Ed. 



(3) Oniscus murarius, Fab.; Cuv., Journ. d'Hist. Nat., II, xxvi, 11, 13; Le Clo- 

 porte ordinaire, Geoff., Insect. II, xxii, 1; Cloporte aselle, Beg., Insect. VII, xxxv, 

 3; Desmar. Consid., XLIX, 5. 



(4) Oniscus asellus, Cuv., lb.; Panz., Faun. Ins. Germ., IX, xxi; Cloporte ordi- 

 naire, var. C, Geoff; Porcellio kevis, Latr.; Cloporte ordinaire, var. B, Geoff. 



