The Natural History of Se I borne 447 



They seem to be most inclined to breed in beech : hence 

 beech will not make lasting utensils or furniture. If their eggs 

 are deposited on the surface, frequent rubbing will preserve 

 wooden furniture. WHITE. 



BLATTA ORIENTALIS. COCKROACH. 



A NEIGHBOUR complained that her house was overrun with a 

 kind of blackbeetle, or, as she expressed herself, with a kind 

 of blackbob, which swarmed in her kitchen when they got up 

 in a morning before daybreak. 



Soon after this account I observed an unusual insect in one 

 of my dark chimney closets, and find since, that in the night 

 they swarm also in my kitchen. On examination I soon as- 

 certained the species to be the Blatta orientalis of Linnaeus, 

 and the Blatta tnokndinaria of Moufifet. The male is winged ; 

 the female is not, but shows somewhat like the rudiments of 

 wings, as if in the pupa state. 



These insects belonged originally to the warmer parts of 

 America, and were conveyed from thence by shipping to the 

 East Indies ; and by means of commerce begin to prevail in 

 the more northern parts of Europe, as Russia, Sweden, &c. 

 How long they have abounded in England I cannot say; but 

 have never observed them in my house till lately. 



They love warmth, and haunt chimney closets and the backs 

 of ovens. Poda says that these and house-crickets will not 

 associate together ; but he is mistaken in that assertion, as 

 Linnaeus suspected he was. They are altogether night insects 

 (Lucifngce), never coming forth till the rooms are dark and still, 

 and escaping away nimbly at the approach of a candle. Their 

 antennae are remarkably long, slender, and flexible. 



October, 1790. After the servants are gone to bed the kit- 

 chen hearth swarms with the young crickets and young Blattce 

 mohndinarice of all sizes, from the most minute growth to their 

 full proportions. They seem to live in a friendly manner 

 together, and not to prey the one on the other. 



August, 1792. After the destruction of many thousands of 



