ORDER II. BUGS. 77 



The Louse (Pediculus). 



Among the Hcmiptcrous Insects, which are distinguished 

 from the other orders by their suctorial organs, as well as 

 by the fact that they do not undergo a perfect metamor- 

 phosis, the Bugs, properly so called, form a very consider- 

 able number of different species, some of which, particular- 

 ly those of the tropics, are ornamented with the most beau- 

 tiful colors. They live upon animated beings, both on land 

 and in the water ; also in forests, gardens, and meadows ; 

 and are, according to their food, either carnivorous or herb- 

 ivorous. 



I trust I shall be pardoned for introducing to the notice 

 of my readers a very disgusting Insect, which seems to 

 have been created for the purpose of punishing inattention 

 to personal cleanliness. 



Certain parasites whose destiny it is to dwell upon the 

 human body, and which we call lice, have been placed by 

 Linnceus and his followers among the wingless (apterous) 

 insects ; but if we consider that they, like the Hemipterous 

 Insects, are provided with a suctorial organ, also with air- 

 holes for breathing, and do not undergo a perfect metamor- 

 phosis, we are forced to place them, like the wingless bed- 

 bugs, in this order. The other parasites, which live upon 

 beasts, birds, fishes, and insects, and which are also called 

 by the people lice, belong to different other orders. 



Many years ago, when people paid very little attention 

 to personal cleanliness, it was generally believed to be a 

 sign of good health to be infected with lice, by whom it 

 was thought the impure juices of the body were extracted. 

 Parents were, on that account, glad to see the heads of their 

 children covered with sores, which were thickly populated 

 with this vermin. But when they became better instruct- 

 ed, and began to keep their children clean, these insects 

 ceased to be fashionable. For this purpose it is probable 



