BRITISH INSECTS 



row or wayside. They have small, soft bodies, and 

 many of the species possess scales which, it is interesting 

 to note, closely resemble those found upon the wings 

 of butterflies. The species shown in the illustration is 

 Papirius. There is at least one species, known by the 

 scientific name oi Isotoma fimetaria, which is constructed 

 in such a way that it can adapt itself so as to Uve on 

 land, as well as on the surface of, and under, water. 

 The popular name of Spring-Tail has been acquired 

 by reason of the springing, or leaping, powers these 

 creatures possess, the feat being carried out by means 

 of a forked apparatus situate upon the under part of the 

 body as shown in the lower specimen illustrated in 

 Fig. I. Not all have this habit, or power, but those 

 that do will doubtless attract attention when discovered. 

 We are now employing insects to help in the work of 

 the world, and Sewage Works are kept in order by the 

 aid of one of these Spring-Tails, as it feeds on decaying 

 matter which is, it is said, consumed at the rate of four 

 pounds per week per individual insect. 



The sewage filters become choked with a jelly-hke 

 matter, and large sums of money have been spent in 

 clearing them, but now the Spring-Tail does the job for 

 us, and incidentally saves the ratepayers. 



We are now learning that the best way of fighting 

 insect pests is to set other insects to eat them. Indeed, 

 if insects ceased destroying one another, they would 

 multiply so rapidly that the world would soon become 

 unfit for human habitation. 

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