THE EARWIG KIND. 35 



skin that enclosed a part of their body and limbs 

 bursts behind, like a woman's stays, and gives 

 freedom to a set of wings, with which the animal 

 expatiates, and flies in pursuit of its mate. 



Of all this class of insects, the Earwig under- 

 goes the smallest change. This animal is so com- 

 mon that it scarcely needs a description : its swift- 

 ness in the reptile state is not less remarkable than 

 its indefatigable velocity when upon the wing. 

 That it must be very prolific, appears from its 

 numbers ; and that it is very harmless, every one's 

 experience can readily testify. It is provided 

 with six feet, and two feelers ; the tail is forked, 

 and with this it often attempts to defend itself 

 against every assailant. But its attempts are only 

 the threats of impotence ; they draw down the 

 resentment of powerful animals, but no way serve 

 to defend it. The deformity of its figure, and its 

 slender make, have also subjected it to an impu- 

 tation, which, though entirely founded in preju- 

 dice, has more than once procured its destruction. 

 It is supposed, as the name imports, that it often 

 enters into the ears of people sleeping, thus caus- 

 ing madness from the intolerable pain, and soon 

 after death itself. Indeed, the French name, 

 which signifies the ear-piercer, urges the calumny 

 against this harmless insect in very plain terms ; 

 yet nothing can be more unjust ; the ear is alrea- 

 dy filled with a substance which prevents any in- 

 sect from entering ; and besides, it is well lined 

 and defended with membranes, which would keep 

 out any little animal, even though the ear-wax 

 were away. These reproaches, therefore, are 



