38 ORTHOPTER^E EAR-WIGS. 



2d. By having four wings, the two anterior of which constitute 

 the elytra or wing-cases, and the two posterior are membranous 

 and folded longitudinally when in repose, as in the grasshopper. 



27. The body of th'ese insects is less consistent generally than 

 that of the Coleop'terse, and is elongated in form, as for example, 

 in the mole-cricket, domestic cricket, and grasshopper. In most 

 insects of this order the head is large and vertical. The elytra 

 slightly cross each other, and are almost always coria'ceous, 

 flexible, and reticulated ; their position varies ; but in a great 

 many instances they are placed obliquely or tile-like. The same 

 is the case with the wings, which are broad and sometimes folded 

 transversely, as well as lengthwise. Sometimes all the legs are 

 of the same size and shape ; sometimes on the contrary they are 

 dissimilar. Sometimes the first pair of legs differ in form from 

 the others, and are adapted for digging in the ground or for seiz- 

 ing their prey ; at other times the hind legs are very much 

 developed and constitute leaping organs ; in all cases the last 

 articulation of the tarsus is terminated by two hooks. The abdo- 

 men, the form of which is usually elongated, in a great many 

 females has appendages attached to its posterior extremity, con- 

 stituting a borer or ovipositor, by means of which these insects 

 introduce their eggs into holes which serve their young for nests. 

 The Orthop'terse undergo demi-metamorphosis, and the only 

 changes they experience consist in the development of elytra and 

 wings ; in other respects the larva and nyrnpha resemble 'the 

 perfect insect. 



28. All the insects of this order are terrestrial, and most of 

 them feed on living plants ; they are very voracious, and some- 

 times commit great havoc. 



Among the most ^interesting of the Orthop'terse are the ear- wigs, 

 mole-crickets, crickets, grasshoppers, and locusts. 



29. The Ear-wigs (jig. 31) Forficula 

 (from the Latin, forfex, pincers) have a 

 linear body, very short elytra, and the abdo- 

 men is terminated by two horny movable 

 appendages resembling pincers. These in- 

 sects are very common in damp grounds ; 

 they sometimes assemble in large numbers, 

 and are very destructive to fruit trees. It 

 was believed that they insinuated themselves 

 into the ear, and to this popular opinion is 

 due their common name ; but it is an error , 

 for they only raise the pincers that terminate 

 . 31EAR-wio. - tfae abdomen -j n se if. d efence. 



27. What are the characters of the Orthop'teree ? 



28. What are the habits of Orthop'teraB ? 



29. How are ear-wigs characterized ? Are they dangerous ? 



