118 INSECTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



ously called earwig in America, is not an insect ; but of the true 

 earwig we have several species, though they are by no means 

 common, and certainly never appear in such numbers as to prove 

 seriously injurious to vegetation. Nevertheless, it seemed well to 

 give to this kind of insect a passing notice in its proper place 

 among the Orthoptera, were it only for its notoriety in other 

 countries. 



Of cockroaches (Blatta) we have also several kinds ; those which 

 are indigenous I believe are found exclusively in woods, under stones 

 and leaves, while the others, and particularly the Oriental cock- 

 roach ( Blatta orientalis), which is supposed to have originated in 

 Asia, whence it has spread to Europe, and thence to America, and 

 has multiplied and become established in most of our maritime 

 commercial towns, are domestic species, and are found in houses, 

 under kitchen hearths, about ovens, and in dark and warm closets, 

 whence they issue at night, and prowl about in search of food. 

 But, as these disgusting and ill-smelling insects confine themselves 

 to our dwellings, and do not visit our gardens and fields, they will 

 require no further remarks than the mention of a method which 

 has sometimes been found useful in destroying them. Mix to- 

 gether a table-spoon full of red-lead and of Indian meal with mo- 

 lasses enough to make a thick batter, and place the mixture at 

 night on a plate or piece of board in the closets or on the hearths 

 frequented by the cockroaches. They will eat it and become 

 poisoned thereby. The dose is to be repeated for several nights 

 in succession. 



II. GRASPERS. (Orthoptera raptoria.) 



These, which consist of the Mantes, called praying-mantes and 

 soothsayers, from their singular attitudes and motions, and camel- 

 crickets, from the great length of the neck, are chiefly tropical 

 insects, though some of them are occasionally found in this 

 country. Moreover, they are exclusively predaceous insects, 

 seizing, with their singular fore-legs, caterpillars, and other weaker 

 insects which they devour. They are, therefore, to be enumerated 

 among the insects that are beneficial to mankind, by keeping in 

 check those that subsist on vegetable food. 



