THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



151 



run with these insedfcs, though they are 

 injurious in a certain degree, they are also 

 of some benefit. Cockroaches generally in- 

 fest houses where crurabs, bones, and other 

 refuse from the kitchen are thrown carelessly 

 about. Upon these the* cockroach feeds, and 

 by this means preventii their decay, and if 

 these were not there it could not exist, but 

 being tempted by thegie dainties to take up 

 his habitation and make his home, he does 



likewise be effective in keeping them out of 

 drawers or other places where it was strewn. 



Bed-bug. — This disgusting pest is al- 

 ways the result of a filthy state of the furni- 

 ture. Often it causes great annoyance to 

 persons of cleanly habits to find that a house 

 they have just taken, or a piece of furniture 

 they have just bought is infested with bugs. 



Remedies.— If it be a bed or other piece of 

 furniture that is infested, take it out of doors 

 and take all the parts asunder that can be 

 got, well clean the joints and every part. 

 Then procure some mineral naptha, and with 

 a long-nosed oil-can pour some of the liquid 

 into every joint that cannot be undone: By 

 this means I have known infested furniture 

 to be thoroughly cleared. Should it be the 

 house that is infested, pour some of the 

 liquid under the skirtings and into the joints 

 of the floor, plugging all crevices up with 

 putty, and keeping a diligent after-watch. It 

 is said that the cockroach is an enemy to 

 these insects. 



Body Louse.— Two kinds of lice in- 

 fest the body of the human subject One is 

 called Pediculus vestimenti, and is similar to, 

 but larger than, the head louse. It is found 

 on various parts of the body of uncleanly 

 persons. The other is a dilferent creature, 

 being shorter and broader, with strong hind 

 legs and bent claws, by which it clings 

 tenaciously to the skin on any part of the 

 body where there is hair except the head. 

 Its name is Phthirius inguinalis. 



Remedies. — The best remedy for these 

 vermin, and the one said to be used in the 

 London hospitals, is "the application of 

 " white precipitate," which is bicarbonate 

 of mercury (jooison) in the form of an oint- 

 ment." — Murrey. This preparation may be 

 had at most chemists, and should be rubbed 

 upon the parts affected. Cleanliness is the 

 best preventative. 



Cockroacll. — Persons generally con- 

 sider it a nuisance to have their houses over- 



net content himself with the refuse of the 

 kitchen only, but when that supply fails he 

 will attack the leather of boots, clothing, 

 corks, and other artioles, which make his 

 presence very unwelcoaie. 



Remedies. — The besJt means of getting rid 

 of these creatures, or preventing their 

 appearance, is care in not allowing particles 

 of edible matter to accumulate. I once took 

 a house that was badly infested, but at the 

 end of a few months they were a great rarity. 

 Their presence was caused, doubtless, by the 

 carelessness of the previous tenants ; but by 

 the above precautions, and by getting up in the 

 middle of the night, suddenly striking a light 

 and firing away with the sole of a slipper 

 they were soon cleared off. N.B. — Weak- 

 nerved persons had better put their slippers 

 on, as it is not an over pleasant sensation 

 before you strike the light to put your bare 

 foot upon a fat, full-fed cockroach. Sulphur 

 powder is good for getting rid of any insect 

 pests, and a hedgehog is said to be particu- 

 larly useful in clearing these insects. 



Flea. — ihe flea is another insect which 

 gets its living by sucking our blood, and is 

 a great pest in hot weather. 



Remedies.— If bedding be badly infested 

 the best thing to do is either to burn it or 

 stove it at a very high temperature. In 

 moderate attacks there appears to be no 

 better plan than catching and killing them 

 singly. Sulphur powder and charcoal are also 

 said to be effective. 



{To be continued.) 



