THE WOODLANDS. 241 



CHAPTER XIV. 



DRAGON-FLIES AND OTHER INSECTS. 



MOST dwellers in towns have had some experience of 

 the disagreeable process of " removing." Such being 

 the case, they will understand what we mean when 

 we allude to the "last load," as a heterogeneous 

 medley coming from all parts of the old house, 

 defying classification, and more troublesome in their 

 disposal than all the rest. With this chapter we are 

 almost in the same position as the householder with 

 the last load. We have a miscellaneous collection of 

 insects, none of them of very great importance or 

 interest, belonging to different orders, and without 

 any other excuse for coming together than that which 

 prevails in the " last load." 



Foremost amongst these is the Earwig (Forficula 

 auricularia), an old acquaintance in gardens, but as 

 common in woods and many places beside. It is 

 not every one who is aware that earwigs can fly ; but 

 they have wings amply sufficient for this purpose, and 

 when at rest these are folded and hidden so as not 

 to be suspected. These insects belong to the 

 Orthoptera, which have all delicate wings, and are 

 R 



