COCKROACH. Of the cockroaches, the most common and the most destructive species, in this country, is the Oriental Cockroach. This insect is said to have been introduced from Asia into Europe, and from Europe into America, and it is presumed that there is not now a maritime nation in the world where it does not exist. This species is generally found in and near human habitations, prowling about at night in search of food, and is both destructive and offensive; but we have also a number of native species, found in fields and woods, under stones, timbers and bark of trees. The female cockroach may be sometimes seen running around with a seed-like egg or capsule protruding from the caudal seg ment of the abdomen, nearly half its size. This is not a single egg, but contains two sets of cells, arranged something like a double row of cart ridges in a cartridge box, in each of which there is an egg. When the young are hatched from the eggs within the capsule, they secrete a liquid which dissolves the mucilage with which the vent is united, and thus they make their escape, leaving their receptacle as entire as it was before they quitted it. After moulting, or cast ing off their skins several times—for a few hours after which the insect is entirely white, hut grad ually changes to black or clack or light brown, according to'the species—these insects are finally developed into the full-grown individuals we see, all the males acquiring wings capable of bearing them in flight, whilst the females are either wing less or have these appendages only short or rudi mental. The remedies for the destruction of cockroaches are many, among which the follow ing have been regarded as effectual. Mix a table spoonful of red lead and Indian meal, with as much molasses as will make a thick batter, and place the mixture in and about such places as are infested with these insects at night. Another remedy is to mix a teaspoonful of powdered arsenic with a tablespoonful of mashed potatoes, and crumble it at night in such places as are infested with the insects, where they may dis cover and devour it, continuing these remedies every night successively until all are destroyed. Various rat and roach remedies, kept, for sale at the drug stores and elsewhere, have also been considered as effectual for the destruction of these offensive insects. Great care should be taken, however, in the use of these remedies, as they arc very poisonous. Various kinds of traps have been also recommended from time to time, which are nightly baited, and the contents thrown into the fire or scalding water in the morning. As these insects love heat and are usually found in and about ovens and fireplaces, this peculiar ity in their economy may suggest the most proper places where traps or poisons should be deposited, in order to secure them, or effect their destruc tion. A deep bowl, glazed or. smoothed inside,
with rough and easy approaches from the out side, and baited with some substance that will attract these insects by its odor—old cheese, for instance—is considered a good form for a cock. roach trap. Boxes partly filled with water, and having a nicely adjusted tilting lid, form good traps. Roaches are nocturnal in habits and bide in corners and crevices during the day, but at night they emerge from their retreats to feed. They devour both animal and vegetable sub stances and, not only eat books, clothing, paper, leather, etc., but they also render the substances, over which they run, filthy and disgusting by discharging from the mouth a dark colored, nauseous-smelling _liquid. There are some few parasitic insects which destroy them both in the egg and insect state, but they are too few to be of any practi cal benefit in lessening their numbers. One of our most plentiful and destructive species is the croton bug, or German Cockroach, (Ectobia Germadica) a, male; b, female. This is a medium-sized, or rather small, cockroach, generally of a light yellow or deep fawn color; both sexes are pro vided with wings and are, sometimes, in summer, found under 'the bark of trees in the South. These insects are especially destructive and abundant in houses heated by hot-water pipes, as they seem to thrive best and multiply most where there is a combination of heat and moisture. They are almost omnivorous and devour cakes of paint, vermilion, cobalt and umber alike. Another very troublesome species is the Oriental Cockroach, (Stylopyga oriental's) a, male; b, female.) This is a very large and common species, and is generally found most abundant in or near seaport towns. This insect is generally supposed to have been imported from India. It varies is color from chestnut to almost black, according to age and exposure. The wings of the males are much shorter than the body, while the wings of the females are wanting, or are very rudiment ary. They are very fond of heat, and hide is cracks near furnaces and fire-places. Their gen eral habits and the manner in which the eggs are deposited are much the same as with the croton bugs. The injury these insects do when numer ous is very great, as they are almost omnivorous. There are several other genera and species of cockroaches in this country, but they all have very similar habits to the above, and are neither so plentiful nor do so much injury; some of then' live in old rotten wood, under bark of trees, and live altogether out of doors, and therefore the injury they, do to farmers or housewives is very trifling or of no consequence whatsoever.
CoCK'S-FOOT GRASS. (See Grasses.)