BOOK III. CHAP. VIII. 887 



on the otlier, to be wholly annihilated by the cafLialties to which 

 they are fubjeft. Thefe infedls (I do not mean it as a proof of 

 their good fervices) are remarkably covetous of pomatum and 

 powder, which they nibble away very dextrouOy, and with them 

 many hands-full of that bufhy covering, ycleped a perriwig, 

 fcarcely having the manners to leave nine hairs on a fide. Oft 

 have t!ie venerable JicU-bottotn, the fage tye, and refpeSlable major ^ 

 fallen victims to the appetite of the!e ravenous creatures, and been 

 utterly fhorn of all their dignity, learning, and authority, in the 

 Ihort fpace of one night. Yet, notwithrtanding fuch mifchievous 

 pranks, thefe domeftics are not without their ufe; for they are ex- 

 ceedingly induftrious in gleaning up fuch filth and naftinefs, as 

 the flovenly negleft of bad houfewives has left in holes and 

 corners undiflurbed by the broom: tliey are, on this account, very 

 neceflary in fuch habitations in hot climates, where uncleanlinefs 

 and fluttifhnefs may generate putrid fmells, and corrupted air, to 

 the detriment of health. In houfes of this clafs, they are always 

 found in the greateft abundance, attracted by their favourite food, 

 and proportioning their numbers to the quantity of fcavenger's 

 work ncceliary for them to perform ; fo that, if I was to addrefs 

 one of thefe houfewives, it (hould be much in the llyle of Solomon, 

 *' Go to the cockroach^ thou Jlut ; confider her ways, and be 

 -*•' cleanly y They are not lefs fond of bugs, and frequently creep 

 at night behind beds, in order to furprize and devour all the 

 stragglers they can meet with. They feem to be full of volatile, 

 urinous, and animal fiilts ; and, I believe, a very ftrong fpirit might 

 be obtained from them, of ufe in hyfterical cafes. They are cer- 

 tain foretellers of rain or wind ; previous to wliich, they are {^tw 

 ifluing from their lurking places behind loofe pannels, or floors, in 

 a violent hurry, and flying about in the utmoft confufion. The 

 larger grey houfe-fpider, which carries' its eggs in a Vvfhite bag be- 

 neath its belly, is a natural enemy to the cockroaches, and feeds 

 upon them. 



331. Wood-Ants. 

 Thefe are very Angular infe6ls. They build their nefts, of very 

 large diameter, generally upon fome tree, or the rafters of deferted 



houfes. 



