3^2 THE BED BUG. 



wine in all the joints and crevices, for it is in these 

 parts principally that the females deposit their eggs. 

 This done, all the cavities should be well filled with the 

 best soft soap, mixed up with verdigrease and Scotch 

 snuff. On this composition the young will imme- 

 diately feed, after leaving the egg (if any escape the 

 cleansing) and will be destroyed, as will also such of 

 the old ones as happen to be left. 



Bugs abound in all the hot climates, from whence 

 most of our merchant-vessels are over-run with them. 

 This accounts for their extreme numbers in all the 

 seaport towns of this country, and particularly in 

 the metropolis, being conveyed thither in clothes, 

 packages, &c. Hence appears the great necessity 

 of examining carefully every thing brought from 

 such vessels into the houses. 



Deal and beech boards should by all means be re- 

 moved, as should also every thing that is fixed to 

 a bed by means of paste, as these afford them both 

 shelter and food. Oak and mahogany are probably 

 the best kinds of wood to use, as the closeness of 

 their texture allows the animals but an uncomforta- 

 ble situation. 



It is supposed that Bugs do not altogether lie 

 torpid during the winter, but that in the cold wea- 

 ther they require less nutriment, and therefore that 

 they are not tempted to come so often out of their 

 retreats as they do in the warmer season? of the 

 year. 



