228 INSECTS AT HOME. 



wings expanded. It is all but impossible to put tli^m back 

 again luider the elytra. How, then, can tlie insect manage to 

 replace them ? This question involves tlie real use of the for- 

 ceps at the end of the tail. They are generally considered as 

 instruments of offence, and as such tliey can be used, being 

 capable of inflicting a tolerably sharp pinch, as anyone can 

 testif}'^ who has handled an Earwig. This, however, is not their 

 primary use, for they are employed in the act of packing the 

 wings under the elytra, and without their aid the insect could 

 never secure its wings properly. I liave more than once seen 

 an Earwig pack up its wings, and a very curious and interesting 

 sight it is. 



As soon as the insect settles, it partially fulds its wings, so 

 that they fall into a set of wrinkles, apparently without any 

 arrangement, but in reality — like the seeming confusion of / 

 ropes oU board ship — each being exactly in its appointed place, 

 and ready for the next movement. After a very brief pause, 

 the folds of the wings are brought still closer together, and 

 gathered towards the elytra ; and then tlie tail is bent over 

 the back, the wings are seized by the forceps, and by their aid 

 are tucked away under the elytra. 



It is said that the insect also makes use of the forceps in 

 expanding the wings as well as in closing them. This may be 

 tlie case, but I have never seen an Earwig use its forceps ex- 

 cept for the latter office, the mere beat of the wings against tlie 

 air seeming to have the power of spreading them to their full 

 extent. In each case the species was the Little Eakwig {Labia 

 minor), and indeed I never did see the Common Eai'wig use 

 its wings. 



These insects are remarkable in many respects, and one 

 species — whatever may be the case with the others — has been 

 ascertained to behave very differeiitly from the generality of 

 the insect-race. As a rule insects take no care of their young. 

 They deposit their eggs in some spot where the young larva 

 can iind its food wlien hatched, and then take no further care 

 of tlicm. Indeed, the greater number of insects die as soon as 

 they have deposited their eggs, so that maternal care is im- 

 possible. It may be urged that bees, wasps, and ants take care 

 of their young. . This, however, is not the case. Care is cer- 

 tainly taken of the young larvte, but not by the mother, who 



