224 
SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT. 
the cadaverous body of a large animal, as write with 
the ink in which they have died. They often fly into 
persons* * faces or bosoms, and, their legs being armed 
with long spines, the pricking excites a sudden horror 
not easily described. In old houses they swarm by 
myriads, making every part filthy beyond description 
wherever they harbour, which, in the day time, is in 
dark corners, behind all sorts of clothes, in trunks, 
boxes, and, in short, every place where they can lie 
concealed. In old timber and deal houses, when the 
family are retired at night to sleep, this insect, among 
other disagreeable properties, has the power of making 
a noise which very much resembles a pretty smart 
knocking with the knuckles upon the wainscotting. 
The Blatta gigantea of Linnaeus in the West Indies, 
are, therefore, frequently known by the name of 
drummers; three or four of these noisy creatures 
will sometimes be impelled to answer one another, 
and cause such a drumming noise that none but those 
who are very good sleepers can rest for them. What 
is most disagreeable, those who have not gauze cur- 
tains are sometimes attacked by them in their sleep. 
The sick and dying have their extremities attacked, 
and the ends of the toes and fingers of the dead are 
frequently stripped of both skin and flesh.*** 
The species to which the above account principally 
refers has been figured on the adjoining plate as a 
conspicuous and characteristic example of its tribe. 
* Drury’s Illustrations of Exotic Entom. Westwood’s Edit, 
vol. II. 70. 
