16 ANIMAL PARASITES 



from this insect. But pustules are not so readily 

 caused on the other haired portion of the body as 

 on the scalp ; moreover, the head being uncov- 

 ered, is readily scratched when infested by ver- 

 min, and the deep digging of the finger-nails is 

 more irritating than the rubbing of the clothes. 



The third and last pediculus to be described is 

 the jjediculus vestimenti, clothes-louse, or body- 

 louse. It is similar to the pediculus capitis in 

 external form, only larger, the principal distinc- 

 tion being the size. It is whitish in color, and 

 from one-twelfth to one-sixth of an inch in length. 

 There are three legs on each side, having four 

 joints, and terminating in claws. The habitat, or 

 place of living of the insect, is the clothes, in the 

 folds and seams of which the eggs are deposited, 

 appearing as little yellowish-white shining dots. 

 It feeds by biting the skin — principally those 

 parts nearest its haunt : namely, where the clothes 



come in most immediate and constant contact withi 



I 

 the cutaneous surface. Hence its ravages are seen) 



on the neck, l)ack, and shoulders, around the waist, I 



and wherever bands or straps give a resting-place 



for the insects, an opportunity for the eggs to 



hatch undisturbed, and hy lack of change of ap- 



I 



