FISH-INSECTS 19 



One such species 1 lives amongst the rocks on the 

 shores of the English Channel, between the tide- 

 marks. Yet spring-tails, their ubiquity notwithstand- 

 ing, have so far failed to attract much attention on 

 the part of serious students, and we know very little 

 concerning their manner of life. 



The earwigs 2 used to be included with the cock- 

 roaches and their allies, but because their true affinity 

 is uncertain, they have wisely been accommodated 

 with an order of their own, called Dermaptera. There 

 are eight British species, but only two of these are at 

 all common viz., the lesser earwig 3 and "the" 

 earwig. 4 The former is small (about a quarter of an 

 inch in length), and is much addicted to flying, in 

 company with rove-beetles, over flowers and middens 

 on hot summer evenings. The latter is familiar to 

 everyone. Perhaps its most arresting feature is the 

 pair of nippers or forceps at the end of the abdomen. 

 Microscopic examination of the embryo before it 

 leaves the egg has shown that these are a modification 

 of the jointed cerci, which many other insects possess. 

 In the case of the common earwig, at least, the 

 forceps play a part in the folding of the wings ; but 

 there is reason for thinking that they may also serve 

 some other purpose at present unknown. The fore- 

 wings (called tegmina 5 ) are small, almost rectangular, 

 and leathery in texture ; but the hind-wings are broad 

 and delicate. Each consists of a firm basal portion, 

 and a relatively large membranous area, which is 

 supported by numerous radiating veins or nervures. 



1 Anurida maritima. 2 Forficulida. 



3 Labia minor. 4 Forficula auricularia. 



6 The leathery fore-wings of earwigs, cockroaches, etc., are 

 usually termed tegmina, as distinct from the hardened elytra (or 

 wing-cases) of beetles. 



