8 OUR HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



physical cause, might, on the principle of omne ig~ 

 notum pro mirifico, easily awake apprehension in the 

 minds of the ignorant and superstitious, already by 

 habit accustomed to look out for "omens," "visita- 

 tions," " warnings," and the like ; and it is, perhaps, not 

 altogether to be wondered at that amongst those engaged 

 in nursing the sick, who, from the stillness of the sick- 

 room, and the fact of their being night-watchers, would 

 generally be the most likely to meet with such experi- 

 ences, some should have seen in these mysterious tap- 

 pings a confirmation of their own anxious forebodings 

 with respect to the loved ones of their charge. But the 

 application of a little practical common- sense soon dis- 

 pels these illusions, and demonstrates the very material 

 nature of the omens, or, as Swift quaintly puts it : 



" A kettle of scalding hot water ejected 

 Infallibly cures the timber affected ; 

 The omen is broken, the danger is over, 

 The maggot will die, and the sick will recover." 



In the "Philosophical Transactions" for 1698 is a 

 curious paper entitled " An Account of the Scaraboeus 

 Galeatus Pulsator, or the Death Watch, taken August, 

 1695, by Mr. Benjamin Allen." It is accompanied by an 

 enormously magnified figure of the insect, and from this 

 and the description, it is evident that the Scarabseus is 

 none other than our present acquaintance ; and the 

 article appears to be the earliest detailed scientific ac- 

 count of the insect. The writer commences in a some- 

 what spasmodic and inconsequent style: "The second 

 Animal I observ'd is a Death Watch : I have taken 

 some before this, it is that which makes a noise resem- 

 bling exactly that of a Watch ; it is faithfully the very 

 same, and liv'd Four Days with me, beating exactly, for 



