BOOK-LICE 



remarkable creatures and others we are not here con- 

 cerned. We now have to consider the chief character- 

 istics of each Sub-Order mentioned, and to select re- 

 presentative forms of each. 



I. Sub-Order Corrodentia (Book Lice) 



These are small, soft-bodied insects which have an 

 incomplete metamorphosis. As a rule, the head is 

 somewhat large, and bears conspicuous eyes. The 

 long antennae are made up of about a dozen joints. 

 When wings are present, there are two pairs, those at 

 the rear being smaller than the front pair. When at 

 rest, the latter are held in a roof-like position. Some 

 species are altogether wingless. A favourite haunt is 

 a trunk, or branch, of a tree, others are fond of dead 

 wood. 



A common species that may serve as an example to 

 represent this Sub-Order is known as Atropos divinatoria. 

 I do not know its English name. It is often found in 

 damp houses, and is a nuisance in Museums where there 

 are specimens of plants and insects. Like the Death- 

 Watch Beetle already dealt with, this insect makes a 

 tapping, or ticking, noise, which is probably a love- 

 signal as in the former case. 



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