336 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 
other Orthoptera do. The posterior wings are large, and are very 
pretty when they are extended; the insect folds them first of all 
like a fan, and then turns them up, and doubles them transversely, 
so that they fit underneath the front ones. 
There is only one genus in this family, and there are several 
species of it in Europe; but the -orficula auricularia is the best 
known. The earwigs are nocturnal in their habits, and are 
rarely seen in the day-time, unless disturbed. Sometimes they 
hide themselves by lying flatly under leaves; but they are more 
frequently found hidden up under stones, under the bark of old 
trees which has become rather detached, and in the interior of all 
sorts of dark hollow places. There a perfect family of them will 
keep quiet in safety during the day, and it will be found to consist 
of little ones without wings, those a little advanced in age with 
rudiments of them, and of the fathers and mothers who know 
how to fly. They are not industrial in their habits, but the 
females watch over their eggs, and carry them off to a safe place 
if they are threatened with any danger. These insects attack all 
sorts of vegetable tissues, and the most beautiful flowers are no 
more to them than the humblest weeds. Unfortunately, however, 
they seem to prefer spoiling the flowers whose petals are most 
elaborate. 
The Alattide are generally considered very disagreeable insects. 
They are not pleasant to look at; they are offensive to our sense 
of smell, on account of their very fetid odour, and they excite 
our antipathy on account of the waste and destruction they 
cause. Possessing great agility, and being able to run with ex- 
traordinary rapidity, they have something very peculiar in their 
aspect and habits; generally the body is large, broad, flat, and 
clothed with very flexible coriaceous integuments. The head is 
almost hidden under the prothorax, and its antenne are very long 
and as delicate as threads. They are common in some places, 
especially on board ship and in seaport towns; but commerce 
has carried them more or less over the whole world. They are 
called by all sorts of names, but we know them as black bectles 
and cock-roaches. Such they are, in fact, as regards their colour, 
but they are true Orthoptcra. They manage to hide themselves 
up very easily ; and from their having flat bodies and very com- 
