146 Flashlights on Nature 



used in in;mipiil;itiiij4 tin.' morsel as it is heiiij* 

 eaten. MX are the iiinxi./tr, or true jaws, employed 

 in masticating^ the food, and answeriui* in their 

 functions pretty closely to the teeth of higher 

 animals. Last of all, M/* are the maxillary palpi, 

 chiefly used like a pair of forks in holding the 

 food, and, perhaps, also in deciding whetiier it is 

 lit for eating. From this brief description, it will 

 be immediately oln'ious to vou that feeding with 

 the earwig is a solenui and very complicate I 

 process. it is carried on by a number of distinct 

 organs and implements, the exact purposes of each 

 of which are only known at full to the iusecl which 

 uses them. 



I should add that the antennie or feelers (not 

 included in this last sketch, but conspicuous in 

 all the preyious illustrations) are in all likelihood 

 sense-organs, wb.ose precise nature has neyjr been 

 altogether established. Some naturalists belieye 

 that they are used as organs of smell ; others that 

 th-y are combined organs of touch and guidance ; 

 yet others, that they are the seat of a " sixth sense " 

 unknown to humanity. However this may be, it is 

 at least certain that they are useful as a means of 

 communication between the insect himself and his 

 mate, his young, his friends, and his acquaintances. 

 Earwigs clearly feel their way, to a great extent, 

 by the aid of the antenn:e, and also recognise 

 through them tlieir visitors and family. They use 

 them, too, in caressing or fondling their mates and 

 their children. It is known that the antenn:e are pro- 

 vided with numerous nerve-terminals, as is always 



