ENTOMOLOGICAL CABINET. 



• BLATTA GERxMANICA Linn. 



This insect is of a livid colour and nearly uniform, 

 with the exception of the thorax, which has two 

 parallel black lines, and the legs are somewhat paler 

 than the elytra ; the length six lines and a half, but, 

 in size, they are subject to a little variation. It in- 

 habits houses* 



This species of cock-roach is by no means common, 

 for I never met with but one living specimen, which 

 I found in the house of a friend : and I possess two 

 specimens, amongst a collection of insects left me by 

 my much-regretted and respected friend, the late 

 Thomas Carpenter, Esq. of Tottenham. 



The insects of this order, with their larvae, wander 

 about by night, and secrete themselves by day ; they 

 are fond of warmth, and haunt houses, devouring 

 meal and whatever provisions they can get at, and 

 will eat the dead of their own species. The females 

 enclose their eggs in a cellular cocoon, which re- 

 sembles a seed vessel, formed of a substance secreted 

 by the animal. 



Cock-roaches, the black beetles of our kitchens, are 

 exceedingly troublesome in some houses, and their 

 numbers may be lessened by the traps that are sold 

 at most turners' shops, and the insects thus caught 

 may be killed by throwing them into boiling tenter. 

 The hedge-hog is tond of them as food ; but the un- 

 pleasant smell this animal emits renders it objection- 

 able. Monkeys, it would appear, are also fond of 

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