72 HABITS. 



Habits. 



The majority of the Collembola live on decaying 

 vegetable matter, and they are to be found in great 

 numbers in almost all damp places. Some few species, 

 for instance Podura aquatica, SmTjntliurus aquaticus, 

 and Isotoma aquatilis, frequent the surface of standing 

 water. Some species of Smynthurus live on the leaves 

 of plants ; Seira domestica frequents houses ; Lejildo- 

 cyrtus curvicolUs is found in cellars ; Achorates mari- 

 timus and Liimra niaritima occur on the sea- shore ; 

 but, as a general rule, we may say that the species of 

 this group are to be found in loose earth, among dead 

 leaves, under bark, and in similar situations. From 

 their timid and retiring dispositions we know as yet 

 but little with reference to their habits. The sexual 

 differences appear to be but slightly marked, and are 

 known to us only in a few species, in which the males 

 appear generally to be smaller than the females. Only 

 in one, Smynthurus luteiis, have I ever observed any- 

 thing approaching to a courtship. 



But although we can as yet say so little concerning 

 the habits of this group, various considerations clearly 

 show that, if properly understood, they must present 

 some points of much interest, and be far less simple 

 than might at first be supposed. 



In the first place, the organization of the group seems 

 in some respects but ill adapted to the mode of life. 

 We may, indeed, be sure that this incongruity is only 

 apparent. Yet the possession of a powerful saltatory 

 apparatus appears to be a fantastic provision for a species 

 which lives in the chinks and crannies of bark, in the 

 interstices of fungi, or buried among decaying leaves. 



Nicolet, indeed, observes^ that " Quoi qu'il en soit, 



ces petits animaux sont encore un exemple de la sage 



economic avec laquelle la nature a su donner a chaque 



etre les organes qui lui conviennent et rien de plus ; 



* ' Mem, sur les Podurelles,' p. 41. 



