THE RUG. 
43 1 
Genus VIII. — Cimex. ’the Bug. 
w E are now to examine a tribe of infects equally re- 
markable for their hideous appearance and their vora- 
cious habits. O' this naul'eous race Llmurus reckons up 
no lefs than an hundred and twenty-one different binds, 
nil diftinguifbed by thefe general characters : an inflected 
roftrum ; antennse longer than the thorax; wings folded 
together crofswife ; the forepart of the upper ones cori- 
aceous ; the back is flat, the thorax margined ; and the 
feet are formed for running *. 
For the fake of a clearer arrangement, this numerous 
genus is diftributed into eleven different feftions or fami- 
lies ; and among thefe the cimex lechiarius holds the firft 
Ration. This troublefome inmate has attrafted the notice 
Of almoft every naturalift f ; and it were well for the reft 
°f mankind, that the knowledge of it had been confined 
to them. By day, it lurks, like a robber, in the moft 
fecret parts of the bed and apartment ; takes advantage 
of every chink and cranny, to make a f ecu re lodgement, 
an d contrives its habitation with fo much art, that fcarce 
an y induftry can difeover its retreat. So cautioufly does 
lt avoid the light, that if candles, or aftrong fire, be kept 
burning, 
* Syftema Nat. Ord. IT. Gen. 8. 
I Mouffet, p. 369. Bonani. Micro, p. 65 , Rax Inf. p. 7. Ajdrov. Inf. 
P- 534- 
