LOUSE. 349 
mations^ which those in the other orders 
invariably observe. They are born in 
their complete shape, and only change 
their skins as they increase in size. There 
are several genera in this order, of which 
very little is known : I shall begin with 
a family, which, though always mentioned 
with well founded disgust, is, notwith- 
standing, deserving of some attention. 
Lucy, I cannot imagine what creature 
you mean. 
Mother, Indeed it is most probable 
that my well combed and cleanly little 
girl never saw, much less felt, one of 
these odious little animals — I mean the 
pediculfts, or louse, the scourge of filth 
and indolence. 
Lucy. I have heard people mention a 
loose, but I never saw one. 
Mother. The pediculus humanuSs or 
common louse, multiplies at a prodigious 
rate. To ascertain this rate, a certain 
naturalist put a lemale into a worsted 
stocking, which he wore for six days and 
nights ; at the end of that time her pro- 
