3152 



THE JOINTED ANIMALS 



of the anterior margin, and also transversely, In this way they occupy a small 

 space, and are almost completely covered by the elytra, a tiny piece only being left 

 projecting behind. When fully expanded, each wing is somewhat elliptic in outline, 

 with a straighter anterior and more rounded posterior margin. To these character- 

 istics it is only necessary to add that the tarsi are three jointed, and the ligula of the 



lower lip is deeply divided, to 

 form two long lobes. This 

 family is represented in almost 

 all parts of the world, but not 

 more than two or three species 

 are commonly met with in 

 Britain. The species are dis- 

 tinguished chiefly by the size 

 and shape of their forceps, the 

 length and number of joints 

 of the antennae, the state of 

 development of the wings 

 (which in some species are 



altogether wanting), the length and shape of the tarsal joints, and other charac- 

 teristics. The common earwig (Forficula auricularia) , found all over Europe, 

 is the best-known species. The female is usually smaller than the male, and 

 her forceps are shorter, and without teeth at the base. Her eggs are laid under 

 stones, moss, or in other such places; and she watches over them with care. It 

 was long ago observed that the female earwig sits over her eggs, like a hen in a 

 nest, and if they happen to get scattered, gathers them all together again. The 

 young larvae when hatched keep close to her, clustering under her body, and some- 

 times climbing on to her back. They are not very unlike their mother in appearance, 

 but are without wings, and of much smaller size. The large earwig (Labidura 

 riparia), found somewhat rarely in England along the south coast, is nearly twice the 

 size of the common species, and its forceps has a large tooth beyond the middle of 

 its length. 



i. MALE OF THE I.ARGE EARWIG; 2. THE COMMON EARWIG 



WITH AN ENLARGED FIGURE OF THE FRYING INSECT. 



Order RHYNCHOTA 



The numerous insects included in this order exhibit great differences in their 

 external form, and while some, such as the Flatince, rival the butterflies and moths 

 in the beauty and delicacy of their colors, others are among the most loathsome of 

 creatures. But whatever be their form or color, all agree in two essential charac- 

 teristics, the first consisting in the fact that their development takes place without 

 a complete metamorphosis; and the second that all have the mouth taking the 

 form of a beak, or rostrum, adapted for piercing and sucking. The beak consists 

 chiefly of the lower lip (labium), which is long and narrow, composed of three 

 or four joints, and grooved along the whole length of its upper or anterior surface. 

 This groove forms a sort of sheath, in which are lodged four long slender blades, 



