144 



Flashlights on Nature 



such a type, it is probable the earwigs and their 

 allies were developed by natural selection. But 

 to this day every earwig begins life in a shape 

 which closely resembles that of his first six-legged 



ancestor, and only gradually 

 acquires his wings and other 

 distinctively earwig-like features. 

 If you wonder how an animal 

 so small as an earwig can do all 

 the damage it undoubtedly does 

 in gardens, a glance at No. 20 

 will explain the mystery. You 

 will see from this sketch that the 

 mouth-organs of the little beast 

 are admirably adapted for de- 

 stroying the petals of your 

 choicest fiowers. Nature has 

 provided the earwig with a 

 beautiful series of instruments 

 for cutting holes in leaves and 

 fruits. The figure in No. 20 is 

 the lower part of the mouth, 

 and is covered when at rest by 

 A/terSirjoiin Lubbock, the uppcr part, wliich is here 



placed below it. M are the 

 mandibles or cutting jaws ; they are formidable 

 implements employed to saw holes in leaves, 

 petals, or seed-capsules ; while C is the clypetis 

 or shield — in other words, the upper lip, which 

 acts as a patent protector for the whole deli- 

 cate apparatus. AS are the antenn<'e sockets, 

 the feelers themselves having been removed for 



NO. 19— CAMPODKA, A 



PRIMiriVK WlNGl.KSS 



INSECT. 



