in zoology, a genus of insects belonging to the order of vermes zoophyta. There is but one species, viz. the infernalis. This has a linear smooth body ciliated on each side, with reflexed feelers pressed to its body. In Finland, Bothnia, and the northern provinces of Sweden, it was not unfrequently that people were seized with a pungent pain, confined to a point, in the hand or other exposed part of the body, which presently increased to a most excruciating degree, and hath sometimes been suddenly fatal. This disorder was more particularly observed in Finland, especially about boggy and marshy places, and always in autumn. At length it was discovered that this pain instantly succeeded somewhat that dropped out of the air, and in a moment penetrated and buried itself in the flesh. The Finns had tried variety of applications to no purpose, until at length a poultice of curds or cheese was found the most effectual in easing the pain; and the event confirmed that the insect was allured by this application to leave the flesh; as, on its removal, this worm, no longer than the sixth of an inch, was found in it, and thus the cause of this painful disease explained. But by what means this creature is raised into the air, is as yet unknown.