INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 



377 



In Fig. 24a, is shown the dog-louse, Trichodectus lotus with one claw 



to the foot, and in b, the 

 common fowl-louse, Me- 

 nopon pallidum (greatly 

 enlarged) with two claws 

 to the foot as is usual 

 with the bird lice. This 

 latter species multiplies 



Fig. 2i.— A, Common dog-louse Triehodectvs . ni -, ,., 



latus. b, Common fowl-iouse rapidly aud passes readily 



JiJennpon pallumid. from one fowl to another, 



and so may become a pest in the fowl house. 



Remedies. — The frequent dust baths fowls are so fond of indulging in 

 are believed to be a remedy against the chicken louse. 



Suitable feeding and treatment and proper care of the skin are 

 preventatives. Repeated combing with a comb which has been dipped 

 into a solution of soda or rubbing the badly infested spots with soft 

 soap and soda, washing them out after 24 hours, are cures, and will be 

 found useful in the case of infected ponies or other livestock. 



Fam. II. Termitidae— White Ants, Termites. 



The members of this family of insects live in colonies similar to the 

 mode of existence obtainable amongst the true Ants and the Bees. 

 The Termitida?, however, have no characters in common with these 

 latter save a similar mode of existence, and the term ' White Ant ' is,, 

 though a popular name for these insects, a misnomer, and its use is to 

 be deprecated. 



Each species of Termite is social, and consists of winged and wing- 

 less individuals. The four wings are, in repose, laid flat on the back, 

 so that the upper one only is seen, except at the tips ; they are mem- 

 branous and very long, extending for some distance beyond the ex- 

 tremity of the body ; the hind pair are similar in size and consistency 

 to the front pair. Near the base of each wing there is a suture or line 

 of weakness, along which the wings can be broken off, the stumps 

 thus remaining as short horny flaps on the back. The neuration is un- 

 like that of other insects. It is very simple, consisting of two longi- 

 tudinal nervures enclosing a space between them, like the mid-rib of a 

 leaf. Smaller transverse veins take off on either side of them. Th# 

 whole resembles a feather of a bird or a much veined leaflet. Wingless 



