317 



ORDER III. PARASITA.* 



THIS Order contains a few very diminutive ani- 

 mals, but too well known by the name of Lice, 

 Pediculus, Nirmus, &c. In their characters they 

 agree with the preceding Order, except in having no 

 bristles at the tail ; and in having but two simple 

 eyes. They live on the bodies of the superior ani- 

 mals, Birds, Mammals, and even on Man, clinging 

 to the hairs or feathers by means of two opposible 

 claws with which their feet are armed. Thus pro- 

 tected and concealed, they suck the blood, and mul- 

 tiply so as often to become a serious evil, aggravated 

 by the habits of uncleanness which foster their in- 

 crease. Of the four species which infest Man, none 

 abound on adults, except in connexion with the 

 most sordid filth. The amiable and excellent Mr. 

 Kirby suggests that these insects, like other instru- 

 ments employed by God to visit the sins of man- 

 kind, may be intended to produce a sanative effect, 

 as well as to punish ; possibly preventing the dis- 

 eases which habitual disregard of cleanliness would 

 otherwise generate. -f- 



* fUgMWVf, parasites, one who lives on another, 

 t Bridgew. Treat, ii. 316. 



