112 INSECTS. 



flowers and fruit, but the cabbages, were they ever so 

 large. The houses, especially the old wooden buildings, 

 were swarming with them; the cracks and crevices were 

 surprisingly full ; they dropped out in such multitudes 

 that the floors were covered ; the linen, of which they 

 are very fond" (!) "was likewise full, as was also the 

 furniture, and it was with caution that people eat their 

 provisions, for the cupboards and safes were plentifully 

 stocked with the disagreeable intruders." 



Some doubt has been entertained as to whether the 

 common Earwig ever flies, but it has been found under 

 circumstances which render this probable. It may be 

 that it flies by night, as the lesser Earwig (Labia minor) 

 is known to do, these having been observed returning in 

 numbers to their home after the day's work. 



The Forficula auricularia and Labia minor are the only 

 British species common. The latter appears to inhabit 

 dunghills and hotbeds. The Forficesila gigantea is a 

 large species which has been found on the sand at 

 Christchurch, but is considered a doubtful native. The 

 apterous earwig is also not common. 



