FOHFICULA. INSECTS. 313 



ed by a corneous and dentated portion, and covered by another piece of a membra- 

 nous consistence, and arched, called the galea or helmet. The tongue forms a kind 

 of fleshy caruncle in the interior of the mouth. Many present the appearance of 

 two or three ocelli. The antennae are composed of a great number of joints. The 

 elytra and wings cover the two posterior segments of the thorax. The ten segments 

 of the abdomen are uncovered. In the greater number the tarsi are fleshy below ; 

 and the number of their joints, varying from three to five, is the same in all the feet. 

 At the extremity of the abdomen in the female is a projecting perforator. The me- 

 tamorphosis of these insects is incomplete. This order is divided into two sections 

 and many families. 



SECTION I. 



Elytra and wings horizontal ; feet proper for running. 

 FAMILY I. FORFICULARLE. 



Tarsi with three joints ; elytra almost crustaceous, without re- 

 ticulation, very short, truncated posteriorly, joining in a 

 straight suture, and covering two plicated wings ; extremities 

 of the wings projecting beyond the elytra in repose ; abdo- 

 men terminated by two horny pieces forming a forceps. 



The body in this family is generally linear, and the thorax nearly square. Some 

 species are apterous. 



I. With wings. 



Gen. FORFICULA, FORFICESILA. 



II. Without wings. 



Gen. CHELIDURA. 



Gen. FORFICULA, Lin. 



Wings arranged like a fan, and folded transversely under two 

 short crustaceous elytra, with a straight suture ; abdomen 

 terminated by two scaly pieces, forming a pincer ; tarsi with 

 three joints, of which the second is bifid ; antennae filiform, 

 of twelve to thirteen almost cylindrical joints ; palpi filiform ; 

 labium with two deep divisions. 



F. auricularia, Lin. The Earwig. Body elongated, ferruginous 

 brown ; antennae with fourteen joints ; eyes black ; thorax ob- 

 scure in the middle, the sides yellowish ; forceps yellowish brown,, 

 approximated,, dentated at the base, and arched. ^ inch long. 

 Inhabits Europe. Shaw, vi. pi. 40. 



The insects of this genus are very common in moist places in gardens, &c. and 

 are often found in numbers under stones, and the bark of trees. They do much in- 

 jury in gardens, devouring the fruit ; and their voracity incites them to feed on the 

 dead even of their own species. They defend themselves with their forceps, of which 

 the form varies according to the sex. They have been said to insinuate themselves 

 into the ears, and hence their popular name. The Forficula; have been remarked 

 for attention to their young. They are the only species of Orthoptera which want 

 ccecums and pylorus. 



FAMILY II. BLATTARI^. 



Tarsi composed of five joints ; wings simply doubled longitu- 

 dinally, and covered by two elytra, often coriaceous and thin, 

 reticulated or crossing one another ; body always depressed, 

 oval or orbicular, with the head concealed under the semi- 



