THE DOMESTIC DEKMESTES, 
The Domefdc JDermeJles *. 
The form of tills infeQ: is oblong, and almoft cylindri- 
cal : The elytra are llriated ; the thorax thick and gib- 
bous. There are many varieties in the fpecies, differing 
confiderably both in fize and colour ; fome being found of 
a dark brown, and others of a much lighter hue. When 
touched, it is ftruck with fuch an apprehenfion of danger, 
that it inftantly draws back its head under the thorax, 
and its feet under the abdomen, remaining motionlefs 
in that pofition till th? danger is overf. 
Of all infebts this is the mod deflruflive to wooden 
furniture, where it is found in vail numbers, their larva 
flate perforating it into tbofe fmall round holes that ap- 
pear on the external furfece, while the inner parts are 
reduced to powder. There are few kinds of wood fo 
hard as to be proof againft the attacks of thefe animals, 
after they have remained long enough out to be drained 
of their natural juices. It does not fecm to be afcertain- 
ed how the eggs of this animal came at firft to be depo- 
fited in timber: it would feem, that the winged animal 
which produces them, has the power of perforating cells 
for their reception ; hut it is evident, that the young in 
their larva ftate have a much greater degree of voracity, 
than the perfefl: animals, which are fcldom found devour* 
« ing 
e Befincfte* domefticus, Lin. Syft, t Bar nut genera infetfb 
