Anobium

( Zool.) A genus of coleopterous insects, some of which inhabit the interior of our houses, where they do much injury in their larval state by gnawing furniture, books, ., which they pierce with little round holes. Others feed upon wafers, preserved specimens of natural history, . - One species, the A. te elatum, popularly the Death - watch, or tick, is remarkable for the superstitious feeling connected with it. This little. timber-boring insect is about a quarter of an inch long, and the popular superstition alluded to is, that when its beating is heard, it is a sign that some one in the house will die before the end of the year. It is chiefly in the advanced state of spring that this little creature commences its sound, which is no other than the call or signal by which the male and female are led to each other, and which may be considered as analogous to the call of birds, though not owing to the voice of the insect, but to its beating on, or striking any hard substance with the shield or fore part of its head, The prevailing number of distinct strokes which it beats is from seven to nine or eleven; and this very circumstance may perhaps still add to the ominous character which it bears among the vulgar. These sounds or beats are given in pretty quick succe ion, and are repeated at uncertain intervals; and in old houses, where the insects are numerous, may be heard at almost any hour of the day, especially if the weather be warm. The sound exactly resembles that which may be made by tapping moderately hard with the finger-nail on a table. The insect is of a color so nearly resembling that of decayed wood, viz., an obscure grayish-brown, that it may for a considerable time elude the search of the inquirer. It is singular that this insect may so far be familiarized as to be made to beat occasionally, by taking it out of its confinement and beating on a table or board, when it will readily answer the noise, and will continue to beat as often as required.