246 SELECTED NOTES FROM 



2. — The aiiterior wings covered with chitine. 



3. — The month masticatory. 



Of the Orthoptera there are two sections : — 



I. — Cnrsoria, which run; 2. — Saltatoria, which jump. 



The cursoria have their legs all alike, and fitted for running. 

 There are four families, viz. : — 



I . — Forficulidce — Earwigs. 



2. — Blattidcc — Cockroaches. 



3. — Ma?itidce — the Mantis family. 



4. — FJiasmidcB — Leaf Insects. 



The ForfiadidcB have four distinguishing features : — 



I. — The Wings, when folded, are disposed horizontally on the 

 body. 



2. — They are furnished with two corneous forceps-like append- 

 ages at the hinder extremity of the body. 



3. — The Antennae are slender, filiform, inserted before the 

 eyes, and vary considerably as to the number of their joints. 



4. — The Thorax is of a rounded form, and slightly convex. 



The name Earwig may be derived from the Saxon Wicga^ a 

 worm, or from the Saxon rigga^ to bore or pierce, and sometimes 

 used when speaking of a meddlesome person as an " earwig," or 

 when anyone is threatened with an "earwigging." 



On the continent the tradition is similar to our own, that Ear- 

 wigs creep into men's ears, and make mischief in their brains, for 

 they are called in France, Perce-oreille — ear-piercer ; Germany, 

 Ohr7vu7'm — ear-worm ; Italy, Plnzavwla — little piercer. 



Earwigs prefer damp situations, and are found under stones, 

 bark of trees, flowers, etc., the latter of which they destroy by 

 eating ; their province in nature seems to be to eat voraciously all 

 kinds of vegetation. I had one that having changed its skin was 

 evidently eaten by its companions. 



The female sits on her eggs, like a hen, and the young resem- 

 ble the parent, except in being of a paler colour, and have no 

 wings or elytra, and as soon as they are hatched creep under the 

 body of the mother for protection, as young wood-lice do. 



The wings are transparent, and of large size, and when expan- 

 ded are shaped like a fan. The principal nervures radiate from 

 a point near the anterior margin. When not in use, the wings 

 are folded beneath two horny cases. 



The anal forceps of the female are less curved and are desti- 

 tute of the tooth-like processes which are observable on the 

 inner side of the base of the forceps of the male. Their use is to 

 help in folding up the wings and to pack them under the elytra. 

 They may also serve to frighten their enemies by the fierce appear- 

 ance they give to their harmless possessor. 



