GERMAN COCKROACH. oll 
the infestation is especially to be found in kitchens; and it is noted by 
Prof. Riley that ‘its small size enables it to hide and breed in cracks 
into which the Oriental’’ [our Common Cockroach] ‘or American 
Roaches could hardly push their front feet.”” Also regarding methods 
of spread of the infestation, the following note, taken from the same 
paper by Prof. Riley, is well worth noting. Speaking of this German 
Cockroach, known in America as the ‘‘Croton Bug,” he says :— 
‘‘Tt is also a European species, and derives its common name 
from the fact that its first appearance in force in this country was 
synchronous with the completion of the Croton system of waterworks 
in New York city. It had in all probability been brought over many 
years before, but had remained comparatively unnoticed until the ex- 
tension of the waterworks, with their numerous pipes in all residences 
and places of business encouraged rapid spread and multiplication ; 
for this species is more fond of water than . . . and is often carried 
by pressure through water-pipes without injury.” * 
In regard to food or drink, this species appears to take almost 
anything,—beer or oil amongst drinkables; and amongst eatables 
‘anything that comes on table,” blacking off boots, ship’s biscuits—in 
fact, materials far too numerous to specify. 
The species is widely distributed over many parts of the world, 
and it has long been in this country, for under the name LHctobius 
Germanicus it is recorded in 1835 by Stephens | as having been found 
about and in London, Portsmouth, Plymouth, &c. 
In ‘ Household Insects,’ by Edw. A. Butler, the writer, at p. 146, 
records this species as one that ‘‘is known all over the United States, 
and sometimes gets a footing in London; and that in a baker’s shop 
at Leeds it established itself,’ and was supposed, from circumstances 
detailed, to have come from the Crimea. I have myself had great 
complaint of it as infesting a line of steamships plying between the 
north of Ireland and the United States of America, where the pests 
particularly established themselves in the warmest quarters they could 
find, and at night, in their maraudings, showed especial fondness for 
the remains of wine or beer that might chance to have been left in 
glasses from the passengers’ tables. 
PREVENTION AND Remepres.—The point which of all others requires 
attention in endeavouring to get rid both of this and also our Common 
Cockroach, is that the apparently dead insects should be made surely 
so. They have enormous powers of vitality, and though they may 
appear to have been drowned in beer, or stupified by insect powders 
* « Cockroaches,” by C. V. Riley. ‘Insect Life,’ of U.S.A. Department of 
Agriculture, vol. ii. No. 9, p. 267. 
t ‘Illus. of Brit. Entomology: Mandibulata,’ vol. vi. p. 46. 
