Thefe infects ,are as difagreeable from their naufeous flench, as
their unceafing appetites. Linnteus thinks that they are not
originally of European growth, but were imported from fome
other country. It has two brown finall prominent eyes, two
antennas, and .a crooked probofcis, which lies clofe under the
hreafl. Inflead of wings, we find on the firfl ring o f the belly,
two flat pieces which entirely cover it, and extend towards the
fides. T hefe plates, the trunk and the head, are amply fet with
hairs. The probofcis is divided .tranfverfely into four parts, which
are probably fo many articulations ; this piece is bell feen on the
underfide of the bug. It has fix legs, each o f which has three
joints; the fkin is chagrined, and the feparation -of the rings
ufually marked by a fmooth fhining band. On the belly, at a
finall diflance from the edge, you may perceive a fet of circular
fpots, two on each ring, except the la fl; thefe are the fpiraeula.
Examined internally we find one large artery, a ftomacb, and in*
teflines. The inflant it perceives the light it endeavours to gain,
it’s habitation,, and feldom fails in making good it’s retreat.
O f the -loufe. Various as are the antipathies o f mankind, all
feem to unite in their diflike to this animal, and to regard it as
their natural and moll naufeous enemy. “ Whenever wretched-
nefs, difeafe, and hunger, feize upon man, the loufe feldom fails to
add itfelf to the tribe, and to -increafe in proportion tp the number
of his calamities.”
When the- human loufe as examined by the microfcope, it’s
deformity fills us .with difguft. In the head we may dillinguifh ■
two’fine black eyes, near this are the two-antennae : the fore .part-
a f the head is rather long, the hinder, more obtufe or rounder;
there.-
there is a fmall part that projects from the nofe or fnout, this
ferves as a Iheath or cafe to the probofcis, which the creature
thrufls into the fkin to draw out the blood and humours which
are it’s deftined food, for it has no mouth which opens in the
common way.
This probofcis has been efliroated to be feven hundred times
fmaller than a hair, and is contained in another cafe within the
firft, and can be drawn in or thruft out at pleafure: the fkin is
hard and tranfparent. From the under fide proceed fix legs,
each o f which has five joints, and terminates in two unequal
hooked claws, thefe it ufes as we would a thumb and finger;
there are hairs between the claws, as well as all over the legs;
the body finilhes in a cloven tail, which is generally covered, and
partly concealed by hairs.
From the extreme tranfparency of it’s fkin, many of it’s internal
parts may be feen, as the various ramifications of the veins
and arteries, and the periftaltic motion of the guts. When the
loufe feeds, the blood is feen to rufh like a torrent into the
flomach, and it’s, greedinefs is fo great, that the excrement contained
in the inteflines is ejefted at the fame time, to make room
for this new fupply. There is fcarce any animal that multiplies
fo fall as this unwelcome intruder, the moment it is excludod
from the egg it begins to breed.
It would be endlefs to defcribe the various creatures which go
under the name of lice, and fwarm upon every part of nature.
The reader who withes for a more particular account of thofe
4 Q 2 which