ORTHOPTERA. 49 



lected together in a mass, and deposited iu a large horny 

 case, nearly half the size of the abdomen of the female, 

 more or less oval in form, and somewhat compressed — 

 not unlike a small bean. Within these cases the eggs 

 are ranged in two rows, separated by a partition running 

 down the middle, while other partitions occurring trans- 

 versely, form separate chambers for the separate eggs. 

 The cockroach miy occasionally be seen running about 

 wdth the egg-case protruded from her body. The males 

 have very small wings, in the females they are rudimen- 

 tary. This species, as well as another, the Blatta 

 Aimricana, is extremely common on board ships, and 

 is most numerous in seaport towns. A very large 

 species, the Blatta glgantea, occurs in the West Indies, 

 where, from its knocking noise, it is called the drummer. 

 This insect will attack persons when asleep, and will 

 even eat the extremities of the dead. 



Our native species of Blattidoe are out-of-door insects, 

 and much smaller than the black knight of the kitchen. 

 B. Lapponica has pale-brown wing-cases, semi-trans- 

 parent, and prettily veined. It is said to be freely found 

 in the New Forest. 



Earwigs {Forficida auricular la) are by some natural- 

 ists placed in a different Order ; they constitute the Der- 

 maptera of Leach, and the Euplexoptera of Westwood. 

 This latter term (''beautifully folded") refers to the struc- 

 ture of the wings — a striking characteristic of these insects 

 — whose nervures radiate in a peculiar manner. The wings 

 are of delicate texture, and fold up into the shape of a 

 closed fan. The tail-forceps appears to be useful in 

 helping the insect to pack or tuck up the wings under 

 the wing-covers — a task which, considering the very 



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