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OBSERVATIONS ON 
They seem to be most inclined to breed in beech ; henco 
beech will not make lasting utensils, or furniture. If their 
eggs are deposited on the surface, frequent rubbings will 
preserve wooden furniture/ 
BLATTA ORIENTALIS — COCKROACH. 
A NEIGHBOUR Complained to me that her house was overrun 
with a kind of black beetle, or, as she expressed herself, with 
a kind of black bob, which swarmed in her kitchen when 
they get up in a morning before daybreak. 
Soon after this account, I observed an unusual insect in 
one of my dark chimney closets, and find since, that in the 
night they swarm also in my kitchen. On examination, I 
soon ascertained the species to be the Blatta orientalis of 
Linnasus, and the Blatta molendinaria of Mouffet. The 
male is winged ; the female is not, but shows somewhat like 
the rudiments of wings, as if in the pupa state. 
These insects belonged originally to the warmer parts of 
America, and were conveyed from thence by shipping to the 
East Indies ; and by means of commerce begin to prevail in 
the more northern parts of Europe, as Russia, Sweden, &c. 
How long they have abounded in England I cannot say ; but 
have never observed them in my house till lately. 
They love warmth, and haunt chimney closets, and the 
backs of ovens. Poda says that these and house crickets 
^ill not associate together; but he is mistaken in that 
assertion, as Linnasus suspected he was. They are altogether 
night insects {lucifugce) , never coming forth till the rooms 
are dark and still, and escaping away nimbly at the approach 
of a candle. Their antennce are remarkably long, slender, 
and flexile. 
October, 1790. After the servants are gone to bed, the 
]-itchen hearth swarms with young crickets, and young 
* The Ptinus peciinicornis is not the only insect that is destructive 
to furniture. Various species of Anohium also perforate it in all 
directions. Linnaeus' s chairs were bored through and destroyed by 
A. pertinax ; and the Rev. Mr. Kirby had his chairs, his picture- 
frames, and the floor of his chamber eaten in every direction by A. 
striatum. — Ej>. 
