ORTHOPTERA. 285 



The Orthoptera are vegetable feeders, and frequently commit 

 "reat ravages on various crops. They are divided into two groups, 

 iz., those which run, and those which j^imp or leap. We will begin 

 ith those which run, which contains the Earwig {Forficula)^ the 

 lockroach (Blatta), the genus Mantis, or Leaf Insects, and the 

 enus Phasma. 



The Fo7'jicula, or Earwig, is represented in Figs. 298, 299, 300, 

 1 its three different states. The lower wings are very broad, 

 nd folded at the same time like a fan, and doubled up. Its abdomen 

 irminates in a sort of pair of pincers, resembling those which the 

 jwellers formerly used for piercing the ears of young girls as a 

 reparatory step to their wearing ear-rings. Hence, without doubt. 



Figs. 298, 299, 300. — Common Earwig {For/icula auricularia)—\a.rya., pupa, and imago. 



heir French name of Ferce-orcilk, or ear-piercer ; for there is nothing 

 o justify the vulgar belief that these insects introduce themselves 

 nto the ear, and bore a hole into its interior, through which they 

 nay penetrate into the brain ; in fact, they are very innocent insects, 

 :nd do little harm. They live on vegetable matter, and more 

 :specially the interiors of certain flowers. 



The Forficidce avoid the light. They are to be found in the 

 thinks of trees, under bark, and under stones. The female watches 

 )ver the eggs with maternal solicitude, and carries them away 

 elsewhere when they are touched. She also protects the larvae and 

 oupae till they are strong enough to dispense with all attention. 



The Blattce, or Cockroaches, are very destructive insects, as the 

 lame, derived from the Greek word BAoTrreii/, to damage, implies. 

 They are omnivorous, attacking all sorts of dead substances, vegetable 



