OF THE HUMAN SKIN. 13 



used to it involves what others uever have to un- 

 dergo. 



Probably the human race all over the world 

 are infested more or less with pedicuU , It is even 

 doubtfnl whether there are different species of this 

 insect, or pecUculus capitis. One observer thought 

 he found a particular species on African negroes. 

 Lice are described as being rare among the Bra- 

 zilian Indians, and among the Indians of Magda- 

 lena, in Columbia ; but travellers have found them 

 among the New Hollanders, and the Asiatic and 

 American Indians. Their dried brood has been 

 found in the hair of the Peruvian mummies. At 

 one time, it was asserted that there was a partic- 

 ular pedicidus tabescentium, or louse of the con- 

 sumptive, and good people rather preferred to be 

 supposed to have them than the common head- 

 louse, which, however, they ivere. 



The next animal parasite of tlie human skin, 

 whose natural history we will study, is thQ pedicu- 

 lies pubis, or crab-louse, which resembles the 

 pedicuhis capitis, but is shorter and broader. It 

 does not run about on the surface, but grasps *the 

 hair close down to the skin with its fore-legs, 

 which are provided with strong crab-like claws. 



