INJURIOUS INSECTS. 



137 



ticular times and places, and its subsequent rarity: for the last four years we 

 have not met with four dozen specimens. They are also well known to migrate 

 in large flocks, selecting the evening for their excursions. It is an exceedingly 

 timid insect, and if the head is buried, so as to exclude the sight of danger, 

 the other portion of its body may take its chance of detection. In this 

 position they may frequently be found amongst the petals of flowers which 

 they frequent. The best trap for them is cabbage leaves baked, or held before 

 the fire till quite soft; then rub them over with butter or dripping, and lay 

 them on the ground by the side of walls or flowers. Bowls of tobacco-pipes^ 

 bean-stalks, small pots filled with moss, or bits of paper made like extinguishers 

 on the top of stakes, to which the plants are tied, are common and excellent 

 traps for these vermin. They find these extinguishers delightful retreats from 

 the angry eye of man, and the burning rays of the sun. These traps should 

 be examined every morning, and the Earwigs destroyed. Where poultry is 

 kept, we should recommend their being fed with the captured insects, on 

 which they will soon show signs of improvement. 



The wings of this insect are of a curious and elegant texture and wonderful 

 structure. The upper part is crustaceous and opaque, while the other part is 

 beautifully transparent. They fold up into a very small compass, and lie 

 neatly concealed under the elytra, which are not more than a sixth part of 

 the wing in size. They shut the ribs like a fan; the strong muscles used 

 for this purpose are seen at the upper part of the figure, (which is consid- 

 erably magnified.) The ribs are extended from the centre to the outer edge; 

 others are extended only from the edge about half way, but they are all 

 united by a band at a small but equal distance from the edge; the whole 

 evidently contrived to strengthen the wing, and facilitate the various motions 

 thereof, and executed with a neatness and elegance surpassing my poor power 

 of description. 



5, Middle Street, Taunton, February 13</t., 1854. 



