ANOPLURA 



349 



The crab-louse, Phthtrius pubis. — The common name of this spe- 

 cies is suggested by the form of the body, which is nearly as broad as 

 long. When highly magnified, the resemblance of this insect to a 

 crab is quite striking; but to the unaided eye it appears more like a 

 large scale of dandruff. These offensive vermin affect the pubic 

 region and armpits of man, stretching themselves out flat, holding 

 tight to the cuticle, and inflicting most irritating punctures. They 

 can be destroyed by mercurial ointment. 



Family H^MATOPINID^ 



In this family the eyes are vestigial or wanting and the proboscis 

 is very long. Here belong the true lice that infest our common domes- 

 tic animals; the more important of these are the following. 



The short -nosed ox-louse, Hcsmatoplnus eurysternus (Fig. 394). 

 The horse-louse, Hcsmatopmus asini (Fig. 395). 

 The hog-louse, Hcematopmus suis (Fig. 396). 

 The long-nosed ox-louse, Linognathus vituli (Fig. 397). 

 The dog-louse, Linognathus pilljenis (Fig. 398). 

 For the destruction of these pests upon cattle, poisonous sub- 

 stances must not be used, as injury would result from the animals 

 licking themselves. They 

 may be safely treated by 

 washing with a strong in- 

 fusion of tobacco leaves, or 

 by rubbing with an oint- 

 ment made of one part sul- 

 phur and four parts lard, or 

 by sprinkling with Scotch 

 snuff or powdered wood- 

 ashes. Stavesacre lotion 

 and larkspur lotion are also 

 used . The insecticide should 

 be applied thoroughly, 

 leaving no spot untouched 

 where the lice can gather 

 and remain and from which 

 they can spread over the 

 body again. The applica- 

 tion should be repeated several times at intervals of three or four da}'s, 

 in order to destroy the young which may hatch after the first applica- 

 tion. It is also necessary, in order to make sure of eradicating the 

 pests, to dress with similar agents, or with strong lye or kerosene, all 

 places where the cattle have been in the habit of rubbing, and the 

 cracks in the stables where they have stood; or to whitewash the 

 stables and rubbing-places. 



For a more extended account of the true lice found in North 

 America, see Professor Herbert Osbom's "Insects Affecting Domestic 

 Animals," pp. 164-188 (Osbom '96). 



Pig. 397-— The 

 long-nosed ox- 

 louse. (From 

 Law.) 



Fig. 398.— The 

 louse. (From Law.) 



