130 NATURAL HISTORY. 



These pests are supposed to be natives of southern 

 regions, and brought to Europe, most likely, in timber ; 

 be this as it may, they are now very generally spread 

 everywhere. They measure about three lines in length ; 

 are egg-shaped ; the head very small, and provided with 

 antennae resembling fine bristles. Their skin is so trans- 

 parent that, examined through a magnifying glass, the 

 interior organs can be distinctly seen. They run very 

 rapidly. Keeping hid in the daytime, they come forth 

 at night, and fastening on the sleeper, prove real 

 scourges by their stinging and sucking his blood as he 

 slumbers ; and when in danger, or crushed, they exhale 

 a fetid odor, almost unendurable. When filled to reple- 

 tion their color is a reddish-brown, but when empty, are 

 dark gray. Great cleanliness and extreme vigilance are 

 the best means of keeping clear of these noxious insects. 

 It is also very well to anoint the bedstead with corrosive 

 sublimate or spikenard, as they will not harbor where 

 these articles have been used. 



The Half Winged Garden Bug (lygaeus apterus) is 

 distinguished by having only elytra and not wings ; it is 

 a small bug, four tenths of an inch in length ; found in 

 gardens, and at the foot of trees, and is of a handsome 

 cinnamon color, dotted with black. These insects pass 

 the winter under the moss, or in the crevices of trees, 

 coming forth in the summer. They are not attended by 

 an unpleasant odor like others of the same species ; the 

 sap of fallen leaves and dead insects serve them for 

 food. 



The Berry Bug (cimex baccarum) is nearly half an 

 inch long, oval ; the wings composed of something resem- 

 bling skin and parchment ; of a gray color, with yellow 

 lines. It is found, mostly in the latter part of summer, 



