...eradicate the foolish superstition, which caused its name, by means of ridicule, thus : — " A wood worm, That lies in old wood, like a hare in her form, With teeth or with claws it will bite, it will scratch, The chambermaids christen this worm a death-watch; Because like a watch it always...

...the Gold Beetles, of the family which includes the mysterious insects of which it is written]: — " And chambermaids christen this worm a Death-watch,...watch, it always cries click. Then woe be to those in the house that are sick ! " — Of the Oil Beetles and Blister Flies, of Mealworms and Musk Beetles...

...tessellation. The witty Dean Swift has left us the following amusing charm to avert the fatal omen : — "A woodworm That lies in old wood, like a hare in...watch, it always cries click : Then woe be to those in the house who are sick ; For as sure as a gun they will give up the ghost, If the maggot cries click...

...is heard. Thus sings the muse of the witty Dean of St. Patrick on this subject : — " A wood worm That lies in old wood, like a hare in her form: With teeth or with jlaws, it will bite or will scratch, And chambermaids christen this worm a death-watch; Because like...

...the jaundice possest, Or sick of obstructions, and pains in her chest. The next is an insect we call a wood-worm, That lies in old wood like a hare in...watch it always cries click ; Then woe be to those in the house who are sick : For, as sure as a gun, they will give up the ghost, If the maggot cries...

...the jaundice possest, Or sick of obstructions, and pains in her chest. The next is an insect we call a wood-worm, That lies in old wood like a hare in...watch it always cries click ; Then woe be to those in the house who are sick : For, as sure as a gun, they will give up the ghost, If the maggot cries...

...to eleven. Dean Swift gives the following fanciful description of the creature : — " A wood worm That lies in old wood, like a hare in her form, With...watch, it always cries click : Then woe be to those in the house who are sick ; For as sure as a gun they will give up the ghost, If the maggot cries click...

..." click the hour of death." Swift ridicules the absurd superstition in the following manner : — " A wood-worm that lies in old wood, like a hare in her form, With teeth or with claws it will bite, it will scratch, And chamber-maids christen this worm a death-watch , Because, like a watch, it will...

...Dean Swift (1667-1745) gives the following fanciful description of the creature : — " A wood worm That lies in old wood, like a hare in her form, With...will scratch, And chambermaids christen this worm a death-watchj Because, like a watch, it always cries click : Then woe be to those in the house who are...

...appear, by the old song of " A cobbler there was, and he lived in a stall," runs thus: A wood worm That lies in old wood, like a hare in her form, With teeth or with claws, it will bite, it will scratch; And chambermaids christen this worm a Death-watch, Because, like a watch, it always...