302 THE SCHOOL GARDEN. 



shape a millipede differs from a centipede in having two 

 pairs of legs to each joint of what may be termed the hind 

 body. Since the habits of these two animal types are so 

 opposite in character, the question of their recognition is 

 one of importance. They are not difficult to distinguish. 



Earwigs. Concealed under stones, in crevices, especially 

 in untidy places, earwigs abound. They are also to be 

 found about plants, e.g. concealed in the floral disc of sun- 

 flowers, chrysanthemums, etc. They are vegetable feeders 

 and are frequently destructive to flowers, fruit, and leaves. 

 Earwigs are insects, usually classed amongst the grass- 

 hoppers, cockroaches, etc., i.e. as Orthoptera, although it 

 is likely they should be grouped as a separate Order. The 

 young are very similar to the parents. 



The manner in which the wings, in those examples which 

 possess them, are folded is well worth study. A common 

 earwig dropped from the hand will sometimes spread its 

 wings in falling, when the hind pair will be seen to be quite 

 large and fan-like. On reaching the ground the fan is 

 closed, then folded transversely and tucked away under the 

 fore wing, which is quite small though firm in texture. The 

 forceps or shear-like organs are used in defence and pro- 

 bably in attack also, for earwigs are said sometimes to feed 

 on other insects. They are not of the nature of poison 

 fangs, but appear to be adaptations of the filament-like 

 structures seen at the tail of various insects. 



Surface Caterpillars. Many insects winter in the soil, 

 and by digging around the stems of fruit bushes we may 

 find both larvae and pupae. We have already noted the 

 occurrence of the larva of the magpie moth. In cabbage, 

 carrot, and other vegetable beds surface caterpillars may 

 also occur. These are the larvae of the turnip moth and 

 heart and dart moth. These hide below the surface of the 

 soil ; they usually attack the parts of plants just below or 

 at the surface, feeding at night. These caterpillars are 

 brownish or greyish, with longitudinal bands. The moths 

 have brown fore wings and white under wings. They are 

 inconspicuous -looking insects. 



