HEMIPTERA. 29 
— C. lectularius, L.; Wolf, Cimic., IV, xii, 121. Itis pretended 
that this Insect, vulgarly termed the bed-bug, did not exist in 
England previous to the fire of London in 1666, and that it was 
transported thither in timber from America. With respect to 
the continent of Europe, however, we find that it is men- 
tioned by Dioscorides. It has also been asserted that this spe- 
cies sometimes acquires wings. It likewise harasses young 
pigeons, swallows, &c.; but that which lives on these latter 
birds appears to me to be a different species. 
Various means of destroying these noxious Insects have been 
proposed; extreme vigilance, and great cleanliness however are 
the best. ’ 
The remaining Geocorise of this subdivision(1) have the rostrum 
exposed, arcuated, or sometime straight; but their labrum is salient 
and their head abruptly strangulated behind or narrowed into a 
neck. Certain species have remarkably large eyes. 
Those which do not present this character, and have their head 
supported by a neck, form the primitive genus 
Repvuvivus, Fab. 
Their rostrum is short but sharp, and can inflict a severe punc- 
ture, the painful effects of which are sensible for some time. Their 
antennz are extremely slender near the end, or setaceous(2). Seve- 
ral of the species make a noise similar to that which proceeds from 
the Crioceres, Cerambyci, &c., but which is produced with more 
rapidity. 
This genus has been thus divided: 
‘ 
Ho.ortinus, Lepel. and Sery. 
Where the antenne have but three joints, the two last of which 
are furnished with long hairs, arranged in two rows, and verticil- 
Jated on the last(3). 
In the other species the antennz consist of four joints at least, and 
are glabrous, or simply pubescent. 
(1): The Wudicoiles, Fam. Nat. du Régn. Anim. 
(2) The first joint is frequently united to the second, and the latter to the third, 
by a very small joint or rotula. 
(3) Encyc. Méthod., Insect., KX, p. 280. 
