SUBORDER COLLEMBOLA 



This suborder is composed of very minute insects which 

 possess the faculty of springing suddenly, and which when 

 alarmed make use of this means of escaping. They are found in 

 the spring in the Northern States on bright sunny days when the 

 snow is thawing, frequently in great numbers on the surface of 

 the snow. They are also found on the surface of water, in old 

 wells, and even at considerable distances under the surface of the 

 ground feeding apparently upon vegetable mold. 



Five families are represented in the United States, which 

 may be distinguished by the following table: 



A ventral spring below the abdomen i 



No ventral spring below the abdomen Family Aphorurida 



i Ventral spring on the second from last abdominal segment. . . . 

 Family Poduridce 



Ventral spring on the next to the last abdominal segment- . 2 



2 Abdomen elongate, cylindrical, much longer than broad 



Family Entomobryidce 



Abdomen globular, but little longer than broad 3 



3 Last segment of the antennae long, ringed 



Family Smynthuridce 



Last antennal segment short, with a whorl of hairs 



Family Papiriidce 



