174 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



used as tests of the power of definition of an objective, as it takes a really 

 line glass to show the true character of the ornamentation of the surface. 



A little higher in the series come the earwugs, the general appearance 

 of which is shown in our cut. The body terminates in a sort of forceps 

 (whence the name Forfieula, little forceps), while two pairs of short wings 

 air present, thus making an advance above the bristle-tails which are wing- 



Fig. 158. — A group of earwigs (Forfieula). 



less. In the northern United States these earwigs are comparatively rare, 

 hut in the region about the Gulf of Mexico they are rather more abundant, 

 In it still they are nowhere so common with us as they are in Europe. There 

 they abound in the fields and gardens, hiding themselves during the day; 

 hut when evening approaches, they fly out, and begin to feed on the flowers 

 and fruit, — habits which make them annoying pests. The name earwig 

 alludes to a belief that these animals are fond of crawling inside the 



