GENUS DAM2EUS. 407 



The Ovipositor very short and thick (PL Gr, figs. 1, 



12). 



The creatures of this genus are widely distributed ; 

 they are found in moss, dead leaves, decaying wood, 

 under bark, under stones, in old thatched roofs, &c. 



The LarvaB and Nymphs usually fairly resemble the 

 adult forms, but are soft and white instead of hard 

 and black ; they are devoid of the chitinous ridges on 

 the cephalothorax, and of the chitinous projections 

 between the legs; and the hairs on the notogaster, 

 &c., are generally longer in proportion, more flexible, 

 and black. 



The Eggs are often provided with a very hard, dark, 

 chitinous shell, and consequently the deutovium stage 

 is very well marked and easily observed. 



Many, both of the nymphs and adults of this genus 

 carry either the cast notogastral skins, or else a 

 coating of dirt, or even both, presumably as a pro- 

 tection ; the nymphs are sometimes almost matted up 

 with dirt. 



