358 I August, 



with 15 articulations, with the first and sometimes the second paler than the rest. 



Pronotum fuscous, with paler lateral margins. Elytra testaceous. Wings hyaline, 



more than twice the length of the elytra. Legs testaceous. Anal segment $ with 



four tubei'cles posteriorly ; the two interior rounded and the exterior fold-like. Legs 



of the forceps testaceous or fuscous, often darker at the apex and along the interior 



margin ; varying greatly in length and degree of curvature ; dilated at the base with 



small uneven teeth on the inner margin, and one large one after they have commenced 



to diverge. Anal segment ? with the tubercles less strongly marked, gradually 



tapering to the apex, where they decussate. 



Length, body, 10 — 15 mm. ; forceps, 3 — 9 mm. 



The common earwig is ubiquitous. The forms uamed media, 



borealis, and forcipata, described as different species on account of 



their more elongated forceps, are considered by the continental authors 



as identical with auricularia, L., and I think rightly so ; though the 



working out of their life histories may prove them distinct varieties. 



Here, as with most of our common Orthoptera, much work remains to 



be done. 



(For/, neglecta, Marsham. Ent. Brit., p. 529, = F. auricularia, L. This is the 

 ordinary ? which Marsham described as a distinct species. Leach notices this, 

 Edinb. Encycl., ix, p. 118. 



For/, media, Marsham. Ent. Brit., p. 530, = F. auricularia, L. Described and 

 figured (forceps) by Stephens. The forceps are slightly elongated. Not 

 uncommon. 



Forf. borealis, Leach MS. Steph. Mandib., vi, p. 5, pi. xxviii, fig. 3, = F. auricu- 

 laria, L. Forceps rather more elongated. Not uncommon. 



Forf . for tip ata. Steph., Mandib., vi, p. 6, pi. xxviii, fig. 4, = F. auricularia, L. 

 Forceps considerably elongated, sometimes two-thirds the length of the body. 

 Not uncommon.) 



2. — Fobf. ptjbescejSTs, Gene. 



Gene, Serville Orth., p. 46 ; Fischer, Orth. Eur., p. 77, tab. vi, figs. 

 15a— f. 



Not so large as auricularia, L., generally testaceous, somewhat pilose. Head 

 reddish. Antennae rather paler, 13-jointed. Pronotum almost square. Elytra tes- 

 taceous, entirely concealing the wings, which are minute and rudimentary. Legs 

 pale. Abdomen rather darker, faintly punctate. Anal segments with two tubercles 

 above the insertion of the forceps. Legs of the forceps in $ with the basal part 

 dilated and long ; with slight denticulations on the internal margin, almost con- 

 tiguous for their whole length. Apical part strongly curved. Legs of the forceps 



in $ nearly straight, slightly incurved at the apex, not decussating. 



Length, 9 — 11 mm. 



I am not aware that this species has been hitherto described as 



British. Mr. C. W. Dale sent me two specimens captured amongst 



reeds on the Dorsetshire coast. I believe he regarded them as Gheli- 



dura albipennis, Meg., but in his article, " Our British Ortlioptera" 



