OETHOPTEEA. 



287 



the colonies. The Kakerlac Americana is from one inch to one 

 inch and a quarter long. It infests ships, running about at night 

 over the sleeping passengers, and devouring the food. They 

 are to be met with in all parts of the world. They abound 

 particularly in the warm parts of America. The Blatta orientalis 

 is more commonly met with than the above. It swarms in 

 kitchens, in bakers' shops, provision shops, &c., where it hides 

 in the cracks of the walls, or against the hinges of the doors. 

 It is a small hideous animal, 

 of a repulsive smell, and of a 

 reddish brown colour. It is a little 

 larger than the Blatta Ameri- 

 cana. In France it is called by 

 various names, such as Cafard, 

 Panetiere, Noirot, Bete noir, &c. 

 If in the middle of the night you 

 suddenly enter with a light into 

 the down-stairs kitchens, you will 

 often see these little beasts run- 

 ning about on the table, and 

 devouring the remains of the 

 food, with astonishing rapidity. 



The largest species of the genus of which we are now treating 

 is the Kakerlac insignis, which inhabits Cayenne and Brazil, and 

 in length sometimes exceeds an inch and three-quarters, and in 

 the extent of its wings four inches and a half. 



It is principally in hot countries that the cockroaches do the 

 greatest damage. In the Antilles, of which they are the pest, 

 it is affirmed that they can in one single night bore holes through 

 trunks, through cases, and through bags, and destroy objects 

 which were supposed to be in perfect safety. Sometimes the 

 walls, the floors, the beds, the tables, everything, in short, is 

 infested by them, and it is impossible to find a way of preserving 

 the food from their repulsive touch. One can, however, partially 

 succeed in destroying them by the aid of insect powders. They 

 have, besides, natural enemies. Poultry and owls are very fond 

 of them. A species of wasp, Chlorion compressum, lays up a stock 

 of cockroaches, which it previously renders insensible, for its 



Fig. 301. The Cockroach (Blatta or ien' alls). 



