C 379 ] 



CHAP. III. 



INSECTS. 

 Insecta. Link. 



SECTION I. 



Death- Watch. 

 Ptinus Fatidicus. Linx. 



1 HE genus Ptinus, like that of Dermestes, or book-worm, con- 

 sists of small insects which, in general, have similar habits, living 

 both in their larva and complete state among dry animal substances, 

 and some species in dry wood, committing great havock among the 

 older articles of furniture, which they pierce with innumerable 

 holes, thus causing their gradual destruction. 



To this genus belongs the celebrated insect distinguished by the 

 title of the death watch, or ptinus fatidicus. Among the popular 

 superstitions which the almost general illumination of modern times 

 has not been able to obliterate, the dread of the death-watch may 

 well be considered as one of the most predominant, and still con. 

 tinues to disturb the habitations of rural tranquillity with groundless 

 fears, and absurd apprehensions. It is not indeed to be imagined 

 that they who are engaged in the more important cares of providing 

 the immediate necessaries of life, should have either leisure or incli- 

 nation to investigate with philosophic exactness the causes of a par- 

 ticular sound : yet it must be allowed to be a very singular circum- 

 stance, that an animal so common should not be more universally 

 known, and the peculiar noise which it occasionally makes be more 

 universally understood. It is chiefly in the advanced state of spring 

 that this alarming little animal commences its sound, which is no 

 other than the call or signal by which the male and female are led 

 to each other, and which may be considered as analogous to the call 

 of birds; though not owing to the voice of the insect, but to its 

 beating on any hard substance with the shield or fore-part of its 



