336 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 



other OrtJioptera do. The posterior wings are large, and are very 

 pretty when they are extended ; the insect folds them first of all 

 like a fan, and then turns them up, and doubles them transversely, 

 so that they fit underneath the front ones. 



There is only one genus in this family, and there are several 

 species of it in Europe ; but the Forficula auricidaria is the best 

 known. The earwigs are nocturnal in their habits, and are 

 rarely seen in the day-time, unless disturbed. Sometimes they 

 hide themselves by lying flatly under leaves ; but they are more 

 frequently found hidden up under stones, under the bark of old 

 trees which has become rather detached, and in the interior of all 

 sorts of dark hollow places. There a perfect family of them will 

 keep quiet in safety during the day, and it will be found to consist 

 of little ones without wings, those a little advanced in age with 

 rudiments of them, and of the fathers and mothers who know 

 how to fly. They are not industrial in their habits, but the 

 females watch over their eggs, and carry them off to a safe place 

 if they are threatened with any danger. These insects attack all 

 sorts of vegetable tissues, and the most beautiful flowers are no 

 more to them than the humblest weeds. Unfortunately, however, 

 they seem to prefer spoiling the flowers whose petals are most 

 elaborate. 



The Blattid(2 are generally considered very disagreeable insects. 

 They are not pleasant to look at ; they are offensive to our sense 

 of smell, on account of their very fetid odour, and they excite 

 our antipathy on account of the waste and destruction they 

 cause. Possessing great agility, and being able to run with ex- 

 traordinary rapidity, they have something very peculiar in their 

 aspect and habits ; generally the body is large, broad, flat, and 

 clothed with very flexible coriaceous integuments. The head is 

 almost hidden under the prothorax, and its antennae are very long 

 and as delicate as threads. They are common in some places, 

 especially on board ship and in seaport towns ; but commerce 

 has carried them more or less over the whole world. They are 

 called by all sorts of names, but we know them as black beetles 

 and cock-roaches. Such they are, in fact, as regards their colour, 

 but they are true OrtJioptera. They manage to hide themselves 

 up very easily ; and from their having flat bodies and very com- 



