BUFONITES, the term commonly applied, previously to the Investigations of 31. Agassiz, to the roundish teeth of fishes frequent in the Oolitic Strata. They belong to the genera Splurrodus,Gprodus, l'yenodua, &c.
BUG, one of a numerous tribe of Insects which constitute the order I, Hemiptera, belonging to the family Cimicides (Leach), and genus • Cime.r. The most common species is the C. leetuarius, the Bed-Bug.
It has been said that the Bed-Bug was not known in England previous to the great fire of London in 1666, and that it was first imported from America in the timber brought over to rebuild that city. Of' the accuracy of this statement however there is considerable doubt. It appears to have been well known in various parts of Europe long before that time. Its shape, colour, and the offensive smell which it emits when touched, together with the circumstance of its deriving its nutriment from blood sucked through a long pointed proboscis, which when not in use lies parallel with the underside of the body, are circumstances too well known to need particular description.
The female Bug deposits her eggs in the beginning of summer ; they are of a tolerable size compared with that of the insect, of a whitish colour, and each fixed to a small hair-like stalk, which when the egg is first deposited is apparently of a glutinous nature, and readily adheres to anything which it touches. The places generally chosen
in which to deposit the eggs are the crevices of bedsteads and other furniture, or the walls of a room. In about three weeks it is said these eggs hatch, and the young bug comes forth—an active larva, very closely resembling the parent insect except in size. The larva then undergoes the usual transformation, and becomes a perfect insect in about three months.
What was the natural habitat of this insect, which differs from most of its tribe in having no wings, is difficult to say. The species of bugs which come nearest to it in affinity are generally found under the bark of trees, a habitat which the flat form of our insect is well adapted for. Pigeons, swallows, &e, are attacked by bugs as well as man. Various means have been proposed for destroying these insects, but cleanliness is the best. [Cisticin.E.]