Page:Scientific Memoirs, Vol. 1 (1837).djvu/198

 and says that it is smaller than the Centipede, and moves without making sinuosities. Errors of this sort are common in this author.

Numenius, cited by Athenæus, calls the Julios the entrails of the earth. Eustathius, commenting upon this passage, and Theon, a more ancient author, give different reasons for this expression.

Hesychius says that the Joulos is like the Polypus, that it lives in moist places, and that it is different from the Onos or Asellus.

Lycophron applies the epithet of Juliopezos to a vessel propelled by a great number of oars.

From all these texts we gather the following particulars: that the Julos or Julus was an apterous insect, or without wings, and furnished with a great number of legs; that it rolls itself up immediately upon being touched; that it describes a curve or sinuosities in moving; that it conceals itself in the earth; that it is found in moist places; and lastly, that Suidas alone informs us that this insect preys upon the vine.

XIII. Biurus —We now arrive at names applied by the Romans to insects destructive to the vine, and we shall commence with a word which, from its etymology, appears to have been derived from the Greek.

The name of Biurus employed by Cicero to denote an insect injurious to the vine is only known to us from a passage of Pliny the naturalist. Speaking of different medical prescriptions, and several curious particulars relative to the history of animals, he concludes a chapter with these words: "Marcus Cicero says that there are insects, named Biuri, which prey upon the vines in Campania." "M. Cicero tradit animalia Biuros vocari qui vites in Campania erodant."

It has been rightly remarked that this word is derived from the Greek oura, and appears to be a synonym of Bicaudes, insects with a double tail. This etymology deserves attention, as we learn from it the only peculiarity by which this insect can be recognised. In the most ancient manuscripts the word is written Biuros, and we should reject the orthography of Byturos adopted by certain editors of Pliny, This latter word has been employed by modern naturalists as the name of a genus of Dermestes. while they have neglected the true orthography.

XIV. Involvolus, Involvulus, or Involvus.—The words which remain to be noticed are purely Latin; they have, if I may be allowed the expression, a family likeness, and appear to be derived from each other.

We shall commence with the word which the most ancient author has employed, and which is that which has given occasion to this memoir.

Involvolus or Involvulus occurs in Plautus.

In the Cistilliarius, act 1, scene 2, verses 455-458, the slave