File:A decade of curious insects (Page 22) (5951430879).jpg

. 22 .
I, THE STR AW-COLOUR'D C H I .J C H.
ALLUCITAPALLIDA.
Each wing is compoled of one diftin(S undivided feather.
Plate 9.
This is a creature very ftrange in its nature, and hiRoryj and
which once came as ftrangely before me. A fludious gentleman, very
fubjedt to the head-ach, which he, and his phyfician, both attributed
to great attention ; fneezing one day with violence, as he was writ-
ing, faw fome atoms a moment afterwards upon a fheet of white
paper that lay upon his table ; and they plainly moved : he doubled up
the paper, and brought it to me : when we laid a parcel of thefe
moving particles before the lucernal microfcope, they appeared of
the fize and figure reprefented at Plate 9 ; and were in continual mo-
tion J vibrating their Antlers, fliaking their Wings, and turning up
their Tail to their Heads, in the manner of Earwigs, but with an
incredible fwiftnefs.
'Twas palpable they had been difcharged from his nofe ; and 'tis
very eafy to fee whence they were thrown, ..nd to under/land how
they might have caufed intolerable pain, wiiile they were thus
raifing and moving their irritating hairs, and feathers, upon a part
where the very fubilance of the brain is almoft naked.
I had feen the fame Species inhabiting the Flowers of the Plant
Mignonette ; and on aiking, found he had that Plant in his chamber.
The Head of this creature is lemon-colour'd.
Its Ryes are of a delicate blue.
The Studs over them deep black,
Its Anilers are of the paleft brown, but ruddy at the bafe of each Joint.
The Feelers are pale, and fmall.
its Trunk is of a pale ftraw-colour.
The Scutcheon has a tint of greenifh. ,^
Its Body is very pale ftraw-colour.
The Rings dividing it are whitidi.
Its Legs are pale brown, but deeper at the joints.
Its Wings are whitifh, with a duflc of brown.
Its Tail is amber-colour'd.