THE SILVERFISH. 8 
finds its counterpart in roaches, and, taken in connection with the 
other features of resemblance, seems to point to a very close alliance 
between the two groups, if, indeed, the silverfish are not merely 
structurally degraded forms of roaches and to be properly classed 
with the Blattide. 
ANOTHER COMMON SPECIES. 
Another common silverfish of this country, referred to in the 
opening paragraph, has developed a novel habit of frequenting ovens 
and fireplaces, and 
seemingly revels in an 
amount of heat which 
would be fatal to most 
other insects. It dis- 
ports itself in numbers 
about the openings of 
ranges and over the 
hot bricks and metal, 
manifesting a most 
surprising immunity 
from the effects of 
high temperature. 
This heat-loving or 
bakehouse species (fig. 
2) was described in 
1873 as Lepisma do- 
mestica by Packard, 
who reported it to be 
common about fire- 
places at Salem, Mass. 
This species is also 
very abundant in 
Washington. What is 
evidently this same in- 
sect began to be noted 
commonly about 1895 
in England and on the 
Continent, where it manifests the same liking for hot places exhib- 
ited by it in this country. The habit of this species of congregating 
in bakehouses and dwellings, about fireplaces and ovens, has given 
rise to the common appellation in England of “fire-brat.’’ Similar 
descriptive names are applied to it also on the Continent. This 
species closely resembles the common silverfish in size and general 
appearance, but may be readily distinguished from it by the presence 
on the upper surface of dusky markings. It also possesses well- 
Fig. 2.—The ‘‘fire-brat’”’ (Thermobia domestica): Adult female. En- 
larged. (Original.) 
