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THE TERMES TRIBE*. 



THE present tribe is arranged by Linnaeus among 

 the apterous insects i but it might with equal pro- 

 priety have been inserted with the Neuroptera or 

 Hymenoptera ; for the males of most of the species, 

 in a perfect state, have either two or four wings. 



The mouth is furnished with two horny jaws, and 

 has a horny four-cleft lip. The feelers are four in 

 number, thread-shaped, and equal. The antenna? 

 in some of the species are beaded, and in others 

 tapering. 



THE DEATH-WATCH TERMES f 



This insect is about a tenth of an inch long. At 

 first sight it has greatly the appearance of a Louse : 

 its mouth, however, with a glass is seen to be red- 

 dish, and its eyes are yellow. The antennas are 

 sharply pointed and somewhat long. It is some- 

 times, though very rarely, observed to have wings. 



It is usually found in old wood, decayed furniture, 

 museums and neglected books ; and both the male 

 and female have the power ot making a ticking 

 noise, not unlike that of a watch, to attract each 

 other. These little animals are in considerable 



* The Linnean genus of Apterus Inslcts commences with this 

 tribe. 



t Synonyms. Termes pulsatorium. Linn. Procui puis 



rius. Fabricius. 



