EARWIGS. 39 



foliage of a plant, it is indeed very difficult to pick 

 it out. We have noticed this phasmid still further 

 carry out the resemblance between it and its sur- 

 roundings by keeping up a slight swaying move- 

 ment much as leaves would if moved by a gentle 

 breeze 



We had one of these "green leaf" insects sent 

 to us, which was found on a peach tree affected 

 by woolly aphides. The leaves of the tree were 

 mottled yellow and green, the same yellow and 

 green mottling was carried out in the phasmid. 



These insects have wonderful muscular control, 

 which enables them to further imitate sticks and 

 leaves by remaining quite still for long periods of 

 time. 



Family — Earwigs (Forficulidac:) 



(Plate 7. Figs. 6. 7 and 8.) 



The popular name of this family seems to have 

 arisen from a mistaken idea that these insects had 

 a habit of getting into the human ear during sleep. 

 Another theory concerning the name is that it may 

 have come from the ear-like structure of the hind 

 wings, (Plate 7, Fig 7), but exactly why the name 

 "earwig" came to be applied does not seem quite 

 clear. 



The scientific name is derived from the Latin — 

 forficula — scissors, such term relating to the scissor- 

 like structures on the end of the body. 



The earwigs may be distinguished by the rounded 

 head, short, front wings, (Plate 7, Fig. 6) which 

 scarcelv extend bevond the thorax, leaving- the ab- 



