CHAPTEE II. 

 THE BEDBUG AND CONE-NOSE. 



By C. L. Marl ATT. 

 THE BEDBUG. 



(Cimex Jectularius Linn.) 



This disgusting human parasite, the very discussion of which is 

 tabooed in polite society, is practically limited to houses of the meaner 

 sort, or where the owners are indifferent or careless, or to hostelries 

 not always of the cheaper kind. The careful housekeeper would feel it 

 a signal disgrace to have her chambers invaded by this insect, and, in 

 point of fact, where ordinary care and vigilance are maintained the 

 danger in this direction is very slight. The presence of this insect, 

 however, is not necessarily an indication of neglect or carelessness, for, 



Fig. 7. — Cimex lectularius: a, adult female, gorged with blood; b, same, from below; c, rudimentary 

 wing-pad; d, mouth-parts — all enlarged (original). 



little as the idea may be relished, it may often gain access in spite of 

 the best of care and the adoption of all reasonable precautions. It is 

 very apt to get into the trunks and satchels of travelers, and may thus 

 be introduced into homes. Unfortunately, also, it is quite capable of 

 migrating from one house to another, and will often continue to come 

 from an adjoining house, sometimes for a period of several months, 

 gaining entrance daily. Such migration is especially apt to take place 

 if the human inhabitants of an infested house leave it. With the 

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