52 JOURNAL OF THE [OctobCF, 



to these questions become of some importance as suggesting a 

 possible means of exterminating these pests. My own experi- 

 ments indicate that they require a large amount of air and that 

 insect powder, sprinkled upon them causes speedy destruction 

 from suffocation. 



In the living Roach, when placed in a proper position, the 

 stigmata are plainly apparent ; but when dead, it requires dis- 

 section to discover them. The cerci do not appear to be con- 

 nected with vital functions, and can be eliminated without ap- 

 parent discomfort, for I have two, in happy captivity, with these 

 appendages removed. 



These creatures possess highly organized sensory apparatus. 

 They scratch their bodies against projections, as one sees swine 

 rubbing their sides against the pen. 



There appear to be at least three varieties of Roach in this 

 city ; the so called croton bug, also a creature three times the 

 size of this last, and finally the common Roach. All are similar 

 in construction, but they have different habits. The Roach 

 proper hates the light, while the others although preferring 

 darkness, are quite active in daylight, and are free from the 

 disgusting Roach odor. Another peculiarity I have to complain 

 of is the difficulty of procuring specimens when wanted. An 

 offer of five cents a head has procured me only a limited sup- 

 ply, although I have been assured that, when a price was not 

 set, they held regular camp-meetings, and could be obtained by 

 the hundreds ! This last fact suggests that their hearing must 

 be remarkably acute ! 



2. Action of the Pulvilli. 



While looking at some Roaches confined in a glass-covered 

 box, I saw a large female walk across the glass, body down- 

 ward. Her movements being deliberate I noted the following 

 facts. She placed the pulvillus, which is situated at the extreme 

 point of the tarsus, and between the ungues, against the glass, 

 pressing it firmly until it adhered, and then bent all the tarsal 

 joints until their pulvilli, which surmount each joint, came in 

 contact with the glass and became attached. The foot by this 

 process was so firmly fastened that it required considerable 

 effort to dislodge it, prior to its use for another step. It was 

 loosened however by releasing first the pulvillus of the toe, and 

 then the pulvilli of the other joints in succession. 



