54 GRAMMAR OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



CHAPTER X. 



HISTORY OF THE EARWIG. 



Class Orthoptera. i Genus Forficula. 



Order Forficulites. |i Species Auricularia, 



166. THE earwig is one of our most common 

 insects ; it is well known to every one, and is 

 very generally an object of unconquerable dislike; 

 the forceps at its tail, and the threatening manner 

 in which these are turned over its back to pinch 

 any thing of which it is afraid, render it pecu- 

 liarly disgusting. 



167. The fore wings of the earwig are square, 

 short, leathery pieces, which cover but a very 

 small portion of the body : the insect is in- 

 capable of bending or folding them in any 

 direction, or of using them as organs of flight. 



168. The hind wings of the earwig are very 

 different from the fore wings. They are folded 

 into a very small compass, and covered by the 

 fore wings, except a small portion which protrudes 



