SILVERFISH  , a small active

insect, so-called from the silvery glitter of the scales covering the body . It is less than half an inch long and is found in damp corners or amongst books and papers in houses . Although accredited with destroying paper and linen, it probably feeds only on farinaceous or saccharine substances . Scientifically it is known as Lepisma saccharina and belongs to the sub-order Thysanura of the order Aptera .