121 



Genus LXXVI. PEDICULUS. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antenna the length of the thorax. Mouth con- 

 tains an exserted sting. Eyes two. Abdo- 

 men depressed and somewhat lobed. Feet 

 six, formed for walking. 



General Observations. 



All lice live by suction ; some on the blood 

 of man, others on that of quadrupeds and birds. 

 The microscope shows the instrument by which 

 this purpose is effected. It is a proboscis, ge- 

 nerally concealed in its sheath, very sharp, and 

 provided towards one end with some reversed 

 prickles. Leuwenhoek affirms that the male 

 has a sting in the tail, by which it inflicts the 

 wound that causes the itching; but this is im- 

 probable, since the purpose of the insect is to 

 obtain food, and that must first pass through 

 the trunk, not the tail. These insects are ovi- 

 parous, and multiply amazingly. The young 

 soon issue from the eggs (or nits as they are 

 called), and after having changed the skin two 

 VOL. II. M 



