EARWIGS 21 



growth. On these points, however, the evidence is 

 somewhat conflicting. The young earwigs are hatched 

 in the spring. They undergo several moults, and 

 attain maturity in the late summer of the same year. 

 They have no wings at first, but otherwise resemble 

 the adults in general form. Thus, it is often said that 

 there is no metamorphosis ; but, in view of the fact 

 that the attainment of wings as growth proceeds con- 

 stitutes in itself a notable change, we shall probably 

 be nearer the mark if we state that metamorphosis is 

 slight. Earwigs have mouth-parts of the ordinary 

 biting type, and are omnivorous, destroying snails, 

 slugs; small caterpillars, and pupae, but also doing con- 

 siderable damage in gardens by feeding on the petals 

 of flowers, leaves, and fruit wall fruit being especially 

 liable to attack. 



The name " earwig" calls for a word of explanation. 

 It appears to have originated in the widespread belief 

 that earwigs enter the ears of sleepers, and even 

 penetrate the brain. In almost all European countries 

 the popular name of these insects has reference to the 

 same supposed habit. Little evidence exists to sup- 

 port the theory, although Mr. Latter tells me that he 

 once heard of a case in which an earwig did enter the 

 ear of a child, and caused some inconvenience before it 

 could be dislodged. Perchance when mankind, in his 

 barbarian days, slept prone upon the ground in a cave 

 or beneath the shelter of an overhanging rock, ear- 

 wigs were more apt to take refuge in his ears than is 

 the case to-day. 



The third order of insects, termed Orthoptera, 

 is represented in Britain by the cockroaches, grass- 

 hoppers, and crickets. All these insects have biting 

 mouth-parts of the usual type. The fore-wings (teg- 



