anobium

Superstitious families are less terrified at thunder and lightning than at the ticking of the death-watch (_anobium tesselatum_), whose noise is supposed to prognosticate an early death in the household.

The Mysteries of All Nations Rise and Progress of Superstition, Laws Against and Trials of Witches, Ancient and Modern Delusions Together With Strange Customs, Fables, and Tales James Grant

_anobium paniceum_, bores through the leaves of old volumes, making sometimes holes which deface and mutilate the text.

A Book for All Readers An Aid to the Collection, Use, and Preservation of Books and the Formation of Public and Private Libraries Ainsworth Rand Spofford