LEPISMA COLLARIS.
Plate [XXXVII]. fig. 5.
Order: Thysanura, Leach. Aptera, P. Linn. Family: Lepismidæ.
Genus. Lepisma, Linn.
Lepisma Collaris. Obscure plumbea, fasciâ collaris apiceque abdominis argenteo-niveis, caudâ triplici villosâ. (Long. Corp. cum seta interm. 12 lin.)
Syn. Lepisma collaris, Fabr. Ent. Syst. 2. 64. No. 5.
Lepisma saccharia, Drury, App. vol. 2. (nec Linn.)
Habitat: Antigua (Drury). "In Americæ meridionalis insulis" (Fabr.).
Head small and hairy, being concealed beneath the thorax. The upper part shines like silver. Mouth of a greyish colour, and furnished with four palpi, whereof two are long and the other two short and thick. Eyes not to be discerned. Antennæ about half the length of the insect; small, and filiform, but full of joints. Thorax and abdomen dark lead-coloured, shining like polished metal; being furnished along their sides with short hairs. The former has a cream-coloured stripe crossing it from side to side; it is also margined. In some specimens, the middle part of the abdomen, from the thorax to the tail, is of a silvery white; but in others the last ring only is so. At the extremity of the abdomen are placed three tails, of equal lengths, like bristles, but very hairy. These tails are in length about one-third of the whole insect; and, when the creature is alive, are always carried in the position represented in the figure. The middle one seems immoveable, the others are not. All the under part of the insect appears of a shining, silvery, white colour; and near the extremity of the abdomen are placed four little horny filaments, two on a side. Legs silvery. Thighs and tibiæ broad and thin.