128 



HRMIPTERA. 



closely against the mesothorax. In Fig. 76 {^f) the 

 scales have been removed, showing the extremely 



small metathorax (/^"') 

 which has lost its wings 

 and seems to be disap- 

 pearing altogether. In 

 hot countries some 

 species are found pos- 

 sessing wings, but in our 

 climate the true wings 

 pjg_ ^6. ^^^ wanting, and the 



wing-covers are, as w^e 

 have seen, tiny scales. The anterior portion of the 

 first abdominal ring (marked ^') is light-colored, being 

 covered by the scales (Fig. 75,^'); the posterior por- 

 tion (Fig. 76, r') is unprotected, and is darker. 



These disagreeable insects are found in houses where 

 they attack other insects as well as man, while they are 

 preyed upon, in their turn, by the cockroach. They 

 are said, also, to occur in chicken-coops and pigeon- 

 houses, but their existence in a wild state is considered 

 doubtful by Comstock. This author recommends 

 travellers to use Pyrethrum powder strewed between 

 the sheets in suspicious lodgings. 



PARASITICA. 



The following are examples of still greater changes 

 in habitat. The animals find shelter and food either 

 partly or wholly upon the bodies of other animals, 

 and may properly be called parasites. 



