'32 



FLASHLIGHTS ON NATURE 



the remainder turns up like a hinge at the in- 

 termediate cross-nerves. In No. 8, we find the 

 wing constricted in the middle by the process 

 of folding ; while in No. 9, the back part has 

 been nicely tucked away behind the front por- 

 tion, so that the 

 whole simulates 

 for a moment a 

 pair of separate 

 wings. In Nos. 

 i o and 1 1, again, 

 the folding still 

 continues, till the 

 muscles which 

 move the wings 

 have done as 

 much as they 

 can do in the 

 way of tighten- 

 ing up, by their 

 unaided efforts. 

 And now comes 

 in the use of the 

 tail with its curi- 

 ous appendages; 



and very odd it is. The pincers supplement the 

 action of the wing-muscles. 



As soon as the earwig has reached the point 

 of closing represented in No. n, she suddenly 

 turns up her tail from behind, as you can see 

 in No. 12, opens her forceps, and applies the 

 sharp points of the pincers to the recalcitrant 



NO. 7. THE BACK PART FOLDING 

 HINGE-WISE. 



