113 

 Genus LXXIII. LEPISMA. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antenna setaceous, longer than the body. 

 Mouth with two projecting membranous 

 jaws. Palpi four ; two setaceous, and two 

 capitated. Body covered with scales. Tail 

 terminated by three straight bristles. Feet 

 six, formed for running. 



General Observations. 



One of the species of this genus, the Le- 

 pisma Saccharina, is familiar to most-people 

 and too remarkable to be mistaken. It is an 

 inhabitant of our houses, and may occasionally 

 be seen running upon our casements, and hiding 

 itself in the holes, or under the sashes of our 

 windows. The silvery covering of its back, 

 comes off as easily upon the fingers as the scales 

 from the butterfly's wing ; and its bright colour, 

 its lengthened body, and the agility with which 

 it seems to glide along, give it somewhat the 

 resemblance of a little fish. It is supposed to 

 have been imported originally from America 

 L 3 



