Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-09-21
A STUDY IN NATURAL HISTORY.

attention has been attracted oc-
casionally To an insect whose buzz and
hum have aroused our curiosity TO
know just where it belongs in the ami
nal kingdom. To classify ii accurately
and on scientific principles has necessi-
tated a somewhat careful study of lis
habits and mode of life. \ very nota-
BILE characteristic OF this insect-on
which strikes everyone on first seeing
it's its aversion to effort. 1t keeps
several of the genus homo at hard labor
10 provide for It's wants; but what any
of the species Homo sapiens can find in
it of beauty or other qualities which
would prove a bond of attachment one
can scarcely conceive 1t may posi-
bly, be the bristling antennae which are
attached to the upper labium between
the nasal and oral foramina. The den
of this insect is located on the south
side of Washington street just east of
Mill. 1t belongs, with all insects,
crustaceans and worms, to the sub
kingdom Arthropoda (meaning Joint
footed, referring to their peculiar
organs of locomotion). This sub king
dom has been called Artculata by
some BIOLOGISTS, the name referring to
the series of iointed rings overlapping
each other and covering the body like
shingles on roof. Ii is of the class
Insecta, which includes all flies, bugs
and beetles. But from this point its
classification is not so obvious. There
is considerable difference of oplhion
among zoologist. as to the disposal of
wingless insects, whether they should
be all included in one order, Aptera
(wingless insectS), or whether they
should be divided INTO several orders.
We will follow the great Linnaeus. and
place it in the Of der Aptcra. We are
obliged to place ii in family which
has not, we believe, heretofore been
recognized, viz: Papyrivora (signifying
paper deyourers, or destroyers). The
genus is evidently kopriemeta (signi-
flying vomiting filth, eXcremenD. Thus
far. to the genus, we are confirmed in
the belief. that our classification is cor
rect, and are inclined to the belief, that
there is but one species, though appar-
antly there are two. As the species has
not hitherto been described we give it
the scientific name Kopriemeta epidem-
lea. The specific name, epidemica sig
mites in the Greek, resting on the
people: and the complete name, Kop-
riemeta epidemica, 1.-THE filth vomiter a
scourge upon the people. If we wished
to distinguish the two apparently separ-
ate species, they might be designated
Kopriameta evening pressonia, and
Kopriemeta independents. But this dis
tinction Is not necessary; for not only
is there not two species. but the same
insect changes its colors frequently,
like chamelions. and what APP
parently is another species is the iden-
teal insect which, but short time be-
fore, you might without inspection have
called different one. This insect is a
parasite IN mode of life, and readily at
taches Itself to anything having blood,
but has prediction to the human
species. 1t is not dangerous, though
It's devouring rapacty and filth vomit-
ing propensities make 1t a pestiferous
nuisance in the community. 1t is
especially spiteful against everything
and everybody that interferes with its
rapacious greed On the slightest pro-
vocation it eructs its filth on all alike,
both friends and foes, making the air
pestilential for miles around. 1t some
times assumes the offensive, and nause-
ates every being of the species Homo
sapiens who happens to pass to the
windward of its locality. We feel
gratihed IN beng able to classify this
pestiferous vermin so closely as we
have: ald make bold to claim that this
description will prove an important adj
dition to the science of entomology
1t would be a further contribution to
science, and at the same time rid the
community of a nuisance, if some will
ling volunteers to.the cause of science
and humanity would capture this speci-
Omen of the species, and forward it to
the State entomologist at Lansing.
We are sure the authorities of the Agri-
cultural college would extend vote of
thanks for such an addition to their
museum.
WASHINGTON LETTER.