E UPLKXOPTERA.- 



-INSECTS.- 



-Orthoftera. 



239 



Dr. Burmeister first showefl that the Paussid.e were 

 allied to the Carahida; in the structure of their mouth 

 and wings, such as the aiTangement of the nervurea 

 aud tlieir waj of folding them ; and one group contain- 



ing Ozceaa, interesting beetles from the New World, 

 with curious elytra with a boss at one end, closely 

 resemble some of them. Professor Lacordaire* brings 

 them in between the Palpicorns and Brachelytra. 



Sub-order— EUPLEXOPTERA. 



Fig. 143. 



Tnr.RE is a large number of species of this sub-order as 

 yetincluded in onefamily, 

 that of the Earwigs or 

 FORFICULID^. These 

 insectshave a considerable 

 resemblance to the Rove 

 Beetles or staphylinidous 

 Coleoptera. Fig. 143 is 

 the representation of an 

 Eastern island species 

 named Forficula brachy- 

 noia. Their first or ely- 

 troid wings are leathery 

 and very short, and have 

 a strait suture. They 

 are large enough nearly 

 to cover up the very deli- 

 cate hind wings, which 

 are ample, and have 

 many radiating nerves which act as the ribs of a 

 fan, aud besides their longitudinal, have transverse, 



Forficula brachjTlota. 



crumpled folds. It is seldom that you see the 

 earwig fly, except the little species, which I have 

 seen not uncommonly using its wings. The mouth has 

 transverse jaws; they are short but strong, while "the 

 maxillae are elongated, the inner lobe being armed with 

 small spines at the inner margin ; the outer lobe forms 

 a small galea or sheath." The abdomen ends in a pair 

 of caudal pincers — (Plate 5, fig. 1, Forficula auricu- 

 laria). These insects, called earwigs by us, perces- 

 oreille by the French, and ijhrenwurm by the Germans, 

 are disliked everywhere. Their specific name, as well 

 as their vulgar names in the European languages are 

 derived from the fallacious opinion that they are spe- 

 cially addicted to creeping into the ears of people. 

 They live chiefly on the petals of flowers, and eat fruit 

 and other vegetable substances. 



The Kev. Hamlet Clark found many fine species in 

 Brazil. Mr. Cuming brought some remarkable species 

 from the Philippine Islands. There are seven British 

 species of Earwig arranged in four genera — Lalidura, 

 Labia, Forficula, and Ai>terygida, 



Order— ORTHOPTERA, 



A VERY striking order of insects, most of which are 

 large, and none of which, unless the Perlse be orthop- 

 terous, are known to be aquatic. The fore wings or teg- 

 mina are of a leathery consistence, large, and often 

 veined tliickly like leaves, and overlap at the tip. 



Their name Ortkoptera, or Straightwings, is 

 derived from the large hinder wings, which are beauti- 

 fully netted with longitudinal and transverse reticula- 

 tions, and fold straight hke a fan. The antenna; are 

 generally long and of many joints. The mandibles are 

 strong and much toothed, the teeth on one side fitting 

 into holes on the other. 



The maxillae have a dilated outer lobe or galea. 



The anus is often furnished with short appendages. 

 The larvae very much resemble the perfect insects, 

 except that they are smaller and have no wings. 



Many of the Orthoptera are eaten by man. In Aus- 

 tralia, for example, the aborigines sometimes feast on 

 the large species which form so remarkable a feature 

 of the fauna of that countrj'. Over the whole of Africa, 

 and in some parts of the East, the inhabitants find occa- 

 sionally fattening supplies in the countless flocks of 

 locusts. 



Section— CURSOEI A. 



These insects are so called from their well-developed 

 running legs. 



Family— BLATTID.^ ( Cockroaches). 



Some of the Blattid^e are of great size, especially 

 the South American and West Indian species. Some 

 of the Eastern kinds are large and repulsive-looking. 

 Several of the Australian species are apterous, such as 

 the prettily marked Blatta piilchripes described by the 

 writer in the appendix to Captain (now Governor) 

 Grey's narrative. The species of Phoraspis are often 

 elegantly coloured or striped with red or yellow ; they 

 are found on plants in blossom. 



One genus of Blattidm can roll itself into a ball, 

 another is long and narrow and apterous. 



Their eggs are very curious, being in a large horny 

 case, open at one side. 



On Plate 5, fig. 2 is figm-ed Blalta Lapponica, a 

 species which sometimes abounds in the huts of the 

 Laplanders to such an extent, as to destroy great quan- 

 tities of their provisions. 



The Common Cockroach of the kitchen [Blatta 

 orientalis), commonly called " the Black Beetle," is 

 much relished by the hedgehog, and this spine-covered 

 animal is sometimes kept in kitchens to reduce their 

 numbers. Mr. Newman announces that the cockroach 

 seeks with diligence the bed bug and devours it. For 

 this purpose it is known to climb up the curtains of 

 • Coleopteresii, p. 1 ; 1854. 



