DWARF VERSUS GIANT. 285 



question was taken up by Borelli, Lahire, Buffon, and Gueneau 

 de Montbeliard. Recently it has been revived, with much 

 ability, by Felix Plateau, whose experiments have proved that 

 the insects, in comparison with their weight, possess an un- 

 common muscular force, far beyond that of vertebrate animals ; 

 that in the same group of insects this force varies in different 

 species ; and that in the small species it is often of astounding 

 energy. 



The muscles are enclosed in solid sheaths (so to speak), which 

 constitute the jointed limbs of insects, and the thickness of the 

 sides of these sheaths seems to decrease in ratio with the size. 

 No relation, therefore, exists between the stature of individuals 

 and the volume and strength of their muscles. A giant may 

 be weaker than a dwarf. Here is another mystery for science 

 to reveal 1 



But we must take leave of our earwig. Its English name 

 is derived by some authorities from ear, and the old English 

 wiega, a worm or grub, identical with the German oberwurm, 

 and based, of course, on the fiction which we have already 

 exploded. 



Newman, however, suggests a somewhat different name, and, 

 consequently, a different etymology : * " The shape of the 

 hind wings," he says, " when fully opened, is nearly that of 

 the human ear ; and from this circumstance it seems highly 

 probable that the original name of this insect was earwing" 

 But we cannot agree with Mr Newman. 



* Newman, " Introduction to the History of British Insects." 



