2 INTRODUCTION. 



group, tliougli some particulars will be found under 

 the head of the different species. As a general rule, 

 they seem to take little notice of one another; but 

 in the case of Smynthurus luteus, a very common 

 species in our meadows, the males are very attentive 

 to the females, and caress them lovingly with their 

 antennge. 



Some species, as, for instance, Smynthurus arptatwus 

 and Podura aquatica, live on the surface of ponds ; 

 some are found on the sea-shore ; others, as 8eira domes- 

 tica, in houses ; but the majority of species frequent 

 fungi, decaying leaves, moss, or loose soil : in fact, 

 wherever there is any decaying vegetable matter, 

 CoLLEMBOLA may be found in abundance. 



Several species of Smynthurus and Papirius curiously 

 resemble certain small spiders. Thus, the markings 

 and colour of P. ornatus are very like those of 

 certain species of TJwridion and Epeira ; while 8. fuscus 

 so closely resembles certain small brown spiders that 

 I have myself, when collecting, been more than once 

 deceived. We have here, therefore, I think, a case of 

 that "mimicry" which has been so well described by 

 Mr. Bates and Mr. Wallace, and I cannot doubt that this 

 similarity to spiders tends to protect Smyntlmrus and 

 Papirius from attack. 



The eggs are laid either singly or in groups, but I 

 know of no species which makes any kind of nest. 

 The young, when first hatched, have the six legs well 

 developed, and present a general resemblance to their 

 parents, differing, however, in proportions, colouring, 

 and, in some genera, in the form of the antenna?. 



We know little as yet with reference to the geogra- 

 phical distribution of the group. It would appear that 

 the same species occur throughout Europe, or, at least, 

 in Sweden, Switzerland, France, and England, where 

 they have been most carefully studied, while some few of 

 them are said to extend to Greenland. As regards 

 other parts of the world, the few species recorded have 

 generally been regarded as distinct, but our infer- 



