ONl3CtfS» 
5V3 
Genus XI. — Onifcus. 
This is a diminutive, but harmlefs tribe of animals : 
They are diftinguilhed by having fourteen feet, fetaccous 
antenna, and the body of an oblong form. Linnxus has 
enumerated fifteen fpecies, fome of which are terreftrial, 
and others aquatic f. 
Onifcus aquaticus. This infeft is found in wells and 
ftagnated pools J. The body is compofed of feven arti- 
culations, befides the head and tail ; the laft is much 
larger than any of the reft. The Ihape of the animal is 
flat and round : From each fide there fpring feven feet, 
each growing longer as you approach the tail ||. 
The fea onifci are larger than thofe of the fre(h waters 
having ten inftead of feven fegments. Their motions m 
the water are rapid; for befides the feet, they are affifted 
by lateral threads, which puih them forward like the 
oars of a boat. Among them, copulation endures for 
feveral days ; when the male feiz.es his female with his 
two fore feet, and drags her along with him wherever he 
directs his courfe ; and nothing can induce him to leave 
his female till this operofe function is dilcharged. A 
few days after impregnation, the female difcovers a di- 
flended belly ; on the feventh, the young iffue alive from 
her 
f Syftcma Nat. p. 1059 . \ Rai Inf P- 43- 
jj Regne Anifliak, p, Zjo, fp. 4- 
