INVERTEBRATES OF THE CAVERN 175 



has long ago found the niche of the universe to which 

 its structure and habits have become adjusted, so some 

 of the subterranean species have taken to cave life and 

 have become fully adjusted to cave conditions. 



Even man, claiming supremacy in earthly intelli- 

 gence, has passed through many cave and cliff-dwelling 

 stages where advantages in safety, comfort, and con- 

 venience were won by such adaptation. It is also true 

 that miners become in time so accustomed to working 

 underground that they find a fascination in the under- 

 ground life. And why not? The daily and seasonal 

 variations in temperature are slight, the .humidity is 

 refreshing, and nervous strain is greaCTy reduced. 

 This means bodily comfort, even though in time it may 

 mean, with the lower forms of animal life, degeneration 

 and the loss of many of the keenest faculties, and 

 eventually through generations noticeable structural 

 changes. 



Such changes, however, are gradual, and only forms 

 that have been restricted to underground life for very 

 long periods show modifications therefrom worthy of 

 specific recognition. 



The insects and other creeping life of the Carlsbad 

 Cavern, if those of the great arched doorway and open 

 shaft were included, would take in most of the species 

 of the surrounding desert region, or at least of the cliff 

 and canyon country, but not sufficient collecting was 

 done to include more than a part of those of the cave 

 rooms or the regular, if not permanent, residents of the 

 cave. The following species were collected : 



Cave crickets. The most conspicuous insects in the 



