404 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



with pitch on the preceding day, no less than fifty or more of these 

 insects had been captured, some of which iiad still iheir wings ex- 

 panded ; the lesser earwig (Labia minor,^^^. 50. 5.), however, flies in 

 the afternoon, and about sunset in hot weather. Kirby and Spence 

 record some circumstances connected with the flight of this insect 

 (^Introcl. vol. iv. p. 514.), and which takes up its abode in dung-heaps, 

 melon-frames, &c. (see, also, Mag. Nat. Hist., No. 21., for additional 

 notes on the habits of this species.) Forficesila gigantea (discovered by 

 the Rev. W. Bingley on the West Beach, near Christchurch, in 1808 *) 

 seldom or never quits its hiding-place in the day-time, but runs about 

 the sand at high-water-mark, in the twilight. On confining several in 

 a box together, one was frequently devoured by the rest. (^Trans, 

 Linn. Soc, Lo7id. vol. x. p. 404.) Dufour states, that the food of this 

 species is small invertebrated animals. 



These insects ai*e subject to the attacks of parasites ; Mr. Davis 

 having informed me that F. auricularia is attacked by one of the Ich- 

 neumonidae ; and Dufour has described a species of Filaria and a 

 Gregarina which infests the same insect. [Ann. Sci. Nat. April 1828.) 



Forficula biguttata (bipunctata) is found in society under stones in 

 the alpine region of the Continental mountains, F. lividipes {Dufour, 

 F. pallipes id. olim) also resides in society, in the hotter parts of 

 Spain. 



These insects, or at least F. auricularia, exhibit a remarkable degree 

 of instinct in the manner in which the females guard their eggs. It 

 is to Frisch (^Beschr. Ins. in Deutchsland. th. viii. p. 32.) and De 

 Geer (^Mt'moires, vol. iii. p. 548. tab. 25.) that we are indebted for the 

 interesting account which has been given of these circumstances. In 

 one instance, De Geer discovered a female brooding over a number of 

 eggs with the greatest solicitude, and which she collected into one 

 spot on their being disturbed. On another occasion, De Geer found, 

 under a stone, a female earwig accompanied by a numerous brood of 

 newly hatched young, which crowded beneath her like chickens under 

 a hen. In the Penny Magazine (May 12. 1832) is a short notice, in 

 which the female is stated to have shown as much care in the welfare 

 of her eggs as the ants are known to do, moving them from place to 

 place in order to obtain a due supply of moisture. These eggs are 



* Although repeatedly sought after, this fine species has never since occurred in 

 England ; and its claim as a true native species is, consequently, doubted by Mr. 

 Kirby. Mr. Stephens, however, does not hesitate in considering it as British. 



