THE WOOD-LOUSE.' 27J 



being oblong, almoft cylindrical, inclining to white, and pretty tranf- 

 parent. In about two days after impregnation, (he depolics about an 

 "hundred and fifty eggs ; they continue fome months ; during which 

 time, neither cold nor heat, moifture nor fumigation, can in the leaft re- 

 tard their exclufion. It is this hardinefs in the fhell that feems to con- 

 tinue the breed ; as the old ones die every winter, or are eafily deftroyed 

 bv fumigation. Cleanlinefs is the beft antidote to thefe naufeous infefts. 

 They are fometimes found in fuch numbers among old furniture, and neg- 

 lected chambers, expofed to the fouth, that, wanting other fuftenance, 

 they devour each other. They are alfo enemies toother vermin, and de- 

 (Iroy fleas very effctliually. 



Of the bug kind Linnaeus reckons forty. 



THE WOOD-LOUSE 



IS feldom above half an inch long, and a quarter of an inch broad ; co- 

 lour livid black, when found about dunghills and on the ground ; 

 but thofe under tiles, and in drier places, are of a dun colour. It has 

 fourteen feet, feven on each fide ; only one joint each, which is fcarcely 

 perceivable. It has two fhort feelers j the body is oval. When touched, 

 it rolls itfelf into a fort of ball j the fides, near the feet, arc dentated j 

 found among rotten timber and decayed trees: in winter, lies hid in cre- 

 vices of walls and buildings. The male is diftinguifhable from the fe- 

 male, being lefs, and more flender ; her eggs are white and Ihining like 

 feed pearls, and very numerous : properly fpeaking, although the young 

 when excluded have the appearance of an egg, yet they are alive, and, 

 without throwing off any ftiell, ftir and move about ; fo that this animal 

 may properly be faid to be viviparous. The little worms at firft feem 

 fcarce able to ftirj but foon feed, and become very brifk. Thefe ani- 

 mals are of great ufe in m^edicine j being impregnated with a faline qua- 

 lity, which is diuretic and ftimulating. 



Of this infedl Linnasus makes three fpecies. 



THE 



