Insects of Past Ages. 



7; 



much more a feeder upon animal 

 matter than upon plants. |Mr. 

 Lucas, who has studied this Insect 

 in captivity, has fed it upon a 

 variety of animal foods ; but it 

 also partook of rice-pudding and 

 banana, showing that it had no 

 objection to a vegetarian diet. 



The lesser earwig ^ is about 

 half the size of the common species, 

 and is, perhaps, the one that is 

 most likeh^ to have given origin to 

 the legend about entering the ear, 

 for it is much more in the habit of 

 using its wings, and, in places 

 where at all abundant, is more 

 likely to alight upon a person's 

 head or shoulders. Owing to this Shoke Earwig. 



propensity to flight, it is a much This, our largest native species, is restricted to certain saml^ 



r f J CI ' coast, where Its colour agrees so well with Its surrounduigb that It lb not easuy 



better subject to watch for the seen. one and a half times life size. 



process of folding and packing the wings. Another native species - comes near to 

 the common earwig in point of size and general appearance, but may be distinguished 

 by the fact that it has no wings. 



Two other foreign species have been locally naturalized in this country, and 

 several others turn up casually with plants or merchandise from abroad. Amom: 

 the most extraordinary forms found 

 in other countries must be included 

 Hiigel's earwig,*^ from Java, which 

 has well-developed callipers of 

 peculiar shape, and turns its thighs 

 outward in a singular manner. Tlic 

 callipers, besides being as long a^ 

 the body, in an earwig from tiie 

 Himalaya,'* have an extraordinar}' 

 bow-legged ajipearance. 



Insects of Past Ages. 



The majority of the ancient 

 animals of which we have know- 

 ledge, owing to their preservation 

 in a fossil state in the older rocks, 

 are creatures that dwelt in the sea, 

 or whose dead bodies were swept 



1 - + f] ^ - ^. K ' -■ • ^ - ■ 1 •>• SnuKi; Kakwig. 



down to tne sea Uy llVeiS, aiUl Weie An iUustratlon of one w.iv in which the callipers may bo ust^ful to an earwig. 



or^A'/T>v/:>rl lit-. V.T flir.cor1ii-.-K.iit fli-if ic This species is in the habit of hiding its bodv under stoncs with the callipers 



CUVCieU up U\ lUL bt^eUIIRilL LUclL lb protruding, when they appear to be the jaws of a more powerful Insect. 



> Labia minor. '^ Forficula Icsnei. * Pygidicrana luigcli. ■• Anechura scabriuscula. 



