THE EGYPTIAN COCKROACH. j* 287 



dirt of various shades, of which any culprit who chances to fall 

 asleep with his mouth open is sure to reap the benefit, as it 

 has a great propensity to walk into it, partly for the sake of 

 the crumbs adhering to the masticators, and also apparently 

 with a scientific desire to inspect by actual measurement, with 

 the aforesaid antennre, the state and condition of the whole 

 potato-trap." 



It is greatly to the nocturnal and light-hating habits of the 

 insect that its safety and increase are owing. When the Cock- 

 roaches are out of their retreat, most insect-destroyers are asleep, 

 except perhaps the hedgehog, which works great havoc among 

 them, and, if servants can only be induced to appreciate and 

 protect it, becomes a most desirable inmate of a house. 



Male. Fig. 141.— Polypnaga MgyptiSLKB.. 



(Dark brown. ) 



In Egypt, the Cockroach attains rather formidable dimensions, 

 as may be seen by reference to the accompanying illustration, 

 which represents both sexes of their full size, the female being, 

 as is usually the case among insects, much larger than the male, 

 and being totally destitute of wings. These creatures infest the 

 Xile boats to such an extent that, before a traveller engages a 

 vessel for a trip up the river, he always, if he be an experienced 

 hand, sees that the boat is sunk for several days, so as to drown 

 out the Cockroaches and other insect plagues. Orientals are 

 strangely indifferent to such things, and will rest in perfect con- 

 tentment where an Englishman would be half distracted with 

 pain and annoyance. 



The Egyptian Cockroach (Pohjphaga jEgyptiaca) very much 

 resembles our own domesticated species, except that it is much 



