COCKROACHES. 
145 
Of cockroaches (Blaitd) we have also several kinds; 
those which are indigenous I believe are 
found exclusively in woods, under stones 
and leaves, while the others, and particu¬ 
larly the Oriental cockroach {Blatta ori- 
entalis'), ^‘'^0 which is supposed to 
have orioninated in Asia, whence it has 
spread to Europe, and thence to Amer¬ 
ica, and has multiplied and become estab¬ 
lished in most of our maritime commercial 
towns, are domestic species, and are found 
in houses, under kitchen hearths, about 
ovens, and in dark and warm closets, 
whence they issue at night, and prowl 
about in search of food. But, as these 
diso:ustin 2 and ill-smellino; insects con- 
fine themselves to our dwellings, and do not visit our gar¬ 
dens and fields, they will require no further remarks than 
the mention of a method which has sometimes been found 
useful in destroying them. Mix together a table-spoonful 
of red-lead and of Indian meal with molasses enough to 
make a thick batter, and place the mixture at night on a 
plate or piece of board in the closets or on the hearths 
frequented by the cockroaches. They will eat it and be¬ 
come poisoned thereby. The dose is to be repeated for 
several nights in succession. Dr. F. H. Homer* recom¬ 
mends the following preparation to destroy cockroaches. 
Mix one teaspoonful of powdered arsenic with a table¬ 
spoonful of mashed potato, and crumble one tlurd of it, 
every night, at bedtime, about the kitchen hearth, or where 
the insects will find and devour it. As both of these prep¬ 
arations are very poisonous, great care should be taken in 
the use of them, and of any portions that may be left by 
the insects. 
* Downing’s Horticulturist, Vol. II. p. 343 (Jan. 1848). 
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