ITS CHARACTERISTICS DESCRIBED. 351 



cacy; the second, because it is visible up to the end of 

 uutumn. 



When examined through a microscope, it produces on the 

 spectator the impression of a spider ; but, like all other insects, 

 it has only six legs. 



Our naturalists, however, have found some difficulty in 

 classifying it ; and by way of cutting the Gordian knot of their 

 embarrassments, some have placed it in a separate family of 

 Microphthircz (literally " little lice "), which is made to include 

 all Arachnidse with six legs. Others, who regard the wheat 

 worm as an insect, rank it among the parasitical Apterae. 



In effect, it has all the characters of the parasitical insect 

 its protracted head, distinct from the rest of its body, is some- 

 times thrust forward in quest of its food, sometimes drawn 

 back or concealed, to protect it from danger. Intended to 

 suck rather than to knead or bruise, it has a sucker, but no 

 mandibles. The head is without antennae, and its palpi are 

 very short, barely visible, and of a conical form. The body is 

 ovular and very soft (whence the Grecian name leptus, \inrte, 

 signifying "soft"). The anterior part, corresponding to the 

 thorax, is broader than it is long, and is marked underneath, 

 on each side of the central line, by a black point : these 

 two points, symmetrically placed, appear to represent the 

 eyes. 



The posterior portion, corresponding to the abdomen, is 

 longer than it is broad, and covered with hairs. Each leg 

 consists of six joints, easily distinguished by the hairs inserted 

 at each articulation ; and each terminates in a couple of strong 



