ORDER II. 



EUPLEXOPTERA. 



Forficulidse— Ear-wigs. 



The vulgar opinion that the Ear-wig, Forficula auricu- 

 laria, seeks to introduce itself into the ear of human beings, 

 and causes much injury to that organ, is very ancient, but 

 not founded on fact, for they are perfectly harmless. To 

 this oi)inion the names of this insect in almost all European 

 languages point : as in English, Ear-wig (from Anglo-Saxon 

 eare, the ear, and ivigga, a worm ; hence, also, our word 

 wiggle), in French, Perce-oreille, and in the German, Ohr- 

 wurm. But, according to some writers, these names arose 

 from the shape of the wing when expanded, which then re- 

 sembles the human ear; and ear-wig might easily be a cor- 

 ruption of ear-wing. 



Swift, in the following lines, introduces an "Ear-wig 

 (probably a Curculio) in a plum," as though in allusion to 

 some superstition : 



Doll never flies to cut her lace, 

 Or throw cold water in her face, 

 Because she heard a sudden drum, 

 Or found an ear- wig in a plum. 



" Oil of Ear-wigs," says Dr. James, "is good to strengthen 

 the nerves under convulsive motions, by rubbing it on the 

 temples, wrists, and nostrils. These insects, being dried, 

 pulverized, and mixed with the urine of a hare, are esteemed 

 to be good for deafness, being introduced into the ear."^ 



In August, n 55, in the parishes adjacent to Stroud, it is said 

 there were such quantities of Ear-wigs, that they destroyed 

 not only the fruits and flowers, but the cabbages, though of 

 full growth. The houses, especially the old wooden build- 

 ings, were swarming with them ; the cracks and crevices 



1 Med. Diet. 

 (76) 



