64 



INSECT LIFE. 



Fig. 34. A springtail. 



SO called on account of the bristles at the hind end of 

 the body. Fig. 34 represents one of the springtails. 



In these insects there is a 

 taillike organ, which is bent 

 under the insect when it is 

 at rest, and by which it can 

 leap several feet. Spring- 

 tails are abundant in damp 

 places, among decaying veg- 

 etation ; but they are com- 

 monly overlooked on account of their minute size. 



The name Thysanura is from two Greek words : 

 thysanoSy a tassel, and oura, the tail. 



Order Ephemerida (Eph-e-mer'i-da). 

 The May-flies. 



The members of this. order have delicate membranous 

 wings with a fine network of 

 veins ; the fore wings are large 

 and the hind wings are much 

 smaller, or wanting. The mouth- 

 parts are rudimentary. The 

 Viet morphosis is incomplete. 



The name of this order is 

 from the Greek word epheme- 

 ros, lasting but a day. It was 

 given to these insects on ac- 

 count of the shortness of their 

 lives after reaching the adult 

 state. Fig. 35 represents a 

 common species. Work on 

 May-flies is outlined in the 

 chapter on Pond Life. Fig. 35.— a May-fly. 



