128 THE DEATH WATCH. 



call of birds : though not owing to the voice 

 of the insect, but to its beating on any hard 

 substance with the shield, or fore part of its 

 head. The prevailing number of distinct 

 strokes which it ^beats, is from seven to 

 nine, or eleven ; which very circumstance 

 may perhaps add, in some degree, to the 

 curious character which it bears among the 

 vulgar. These sounds or beats are given in 

 pretty quick succession, and are repeated at 

 uncertain intervals ; and in old houses where 

 the insects are numerous, may be heard at 

 almost every hour of the day ; especially if 

 the weather be warm. The sound exactly 

 resembles that which may be made by beat- 

 ing moderately hard with a nail on a table. 

 The insect is of a colour so nearly resem- 

 bling that of decayed wood, viz. an obscure 

 greyish brown, that it may for a considerable 

 time elude the search of the inquirer. It is 

 about a quarter of an inch in length, and 

 is moderately thick in proportion, and the 

 wmg shells are marked with numerous irre- 

 gular variegations of a lighter or greyer 

 cast than the ground colour. Ridiculous, 

 and even incredible as it may appear, it is 



