GIRACLT— THE REBEL G 
73 
1905] 
has the most. 'I’hey are in my files of papers and periodicals. They seem to 
grow fatter every day, but for the life of me, 1 cannot tell what they live on. 
*******. Can it be that they live on the paste on the wall paper? .\s for 
remedies, * * * * * d’he latter (red pepper), I have sifted through my 
papers and books, and wherever I could get it; but instead of driving them off, 
they seem to fatten on it ;***** **** #*#***_ *_>>> pp^ 16-17. 
This appearance of the insect in an unoccupied (i. e., not a sleeping) apart- 
ment, is apparently e.xplained by Lintner, by the fact that they obtained nourish- 
ment from moisture in the paste on the wall, or, and so forth. Hut as the in- 
sects were stated to be fat,^ it is evident that they were merely hiding in the 
books and papers by day, and visiting the hosts by night, or whenever a chance 
offered. 'I'heir occurrence in an unoccupied house may be explained in many 
ways, and may not have been of long duration. Tack of details, such as the 
appearance of the insects when found, whether fat or thin, dark or light, the con- 
ditions under which found, and so forth, makes positive conclusions impossible. 
.\n appropriate quotation also may be taken from Dr. Howard ( 1901 ), in 
which it is to be noticed that no reference is made to a questionable supply of 
food when referring to longevity. He says: “It has gained the power of subsist- 
ing almost indefinitely without food, waiting for its meals with a patience far sur- 
passing that of Job.” p. 289. And then again: “.\nd then, too, from the ability 
which the bedbug has of undergoing prolonged fast.s, it may be found alive not only 
in houses hich have been de.serted for a long time, but about old deserted camps 
in the woods.” p. 290. 
The period of oviposition and the number of eggs deposited are also un- 
known, especially the latter. .Southall (1730) stated that eggs were deposited 
about four (4) times during the year in batches of fifty (50), and he has evi- 
dently been followed up to the present time. Riley ( 1887 ), a century and a half 
later, states that the female deposits about fifty (50) eggs in March, May, July 
and September, but does not give a more definite statement, aud is apparently 
following Southall. Hutler ( 1893) says the same, indirectly quoting Southall, 
and this statement has been copied quite generally. Further than this, nothing 
has been done. 
It may be well to call attention to the fact that no true parasites have been 
recorded as attacking the bedbug, though it would not be at all surprising if 
a. l( can hardly be believed that these insects would be fat, if nourished on moisture alone. When deprived 
of blood for long periods, they become thin and transparent, or at least much lighter in color, even in the presence 
of moisture. 
