THE ORTHOPTERA. 117 



The food of this species probably consists of seaweed, 

 although it is possibly carnivorous, and feeds on the small 

 insects and crustaceans, which are numerous on the beach. 

 Being permanently apterous, mature individuals can only 

 be recognized by their large size, and the perfect develop- 

 ment of their anal forceps. It is evidently erroneous to 

 regard these as organs exclusively employed in opening 

 and shutting the wings, as we see that in the present 

 insect, which does not require them for that purpose, they 

 are larger than in many of the flying earwigs. They are 

 probably chiefly used to intimidate intruders. 



This species is strictly marine in its habits and is seldom 

 found more than a few yards above high-water-mark. The 

 females may be often observed hatching their eggs. For 

 this purpose they excavate an oval chamber underneath a 

 log or large stone, and after carefully smoothing it within, 

 deposit the eggs at the bottom. These eggs are most 

 faithfully guarded by the mother, which boldly attacks all 

 intruders, and will suffer herself to be killed rather than 

 leave the spot. She also remains with the young ones for 

 a considerable time after they are hatched, as we some- 

 times observe the females accompanied by a number of 

 larvae of quite a large size. 



