CRICKETS AND EARWIGS 159 



twisted, or otherwise deformed. Those of the female are 

 simpler and less elegant. They do not curve outwards 

 when closed, but lie side by side as far as the tip, where 

 they cross one another slightly. In both sexes they are 

 habitually carried widely open, and pointing obliquely 

 upwards. The six legs are yellowish and almost trans- 

 parent, and are composed of the usual parts. 



Such is the external aspect of the common earwig, 

 from which we may now pass to consider the structure 

 and manipulation of the wings, which are by far the 

 most beautiful part of the insect, and deserve special 

 attention. It is very seldom that the wings can be 

 seen when the earwig is alive, for they are used chiefly 

 by night, and one can have no conception of their size, 

 or of the beauty that lies concealed under their covers, 

 if one merely watches the running insect ; indeed, it is 

 difficult under such circumstances to believe even in 

 their existence. To examine the wings properly, the 

 earwig must be killed. This may be done instantaneously, 

 and without damage, by plunging it into boiling water. 

 Let it then be placed on blotting-paper to dry it, and 

 afterwards laid full length upon some hard surface. 

 Then let the wing-covers be raised and separated a 

 little towards the right and left ; a neat little package 

 will thus be found under each, which, strange as it may 

 appear, is really a beautiful transparent wing, folded up 

 into extremely small compass. By dint of care and 

 patience it may be opened fold after fold, till its full 

 extent is exposed, when it will be found to spread over 

 an area some seven or eight times as large as the cover 

 under which it was hid. 



The complete unfolding of the wing is a delicate 

 operation, and must be managed methodically. The 

 following method will succeed very well if the directions 



