OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 4I 



als in our fields, as the range of any species is constantly under- 

 going change through migration, and transportation of eggs and 

 young nymphs by means of timber, hay and other commercial 

 products, and climatic conditions. 1 



In the list given below the division into families is that employ- 

 ed by Prof. Comstock, in his " Manual for the Study of Insects," 

 and in determining genera and species reference has been made 

 to the following works : 



Comstock, J. H., An Introduction to Entomology. 



Fernald, G. H., The Orthoptera of New England. 



Hancock, J. L., Treatise on Grouse Locusts. 



Harris, T. W., Insects Injurious to Vegetation. 



Packard, A. S., Guide to the Study of Insects. 



Scudder, S. H., Catalogue of the Orthoptera of North America. 



Scudder, S. H., Revision of the Orthopteran Group Melanopli. 



As before noted, the scientists have not agreed upon the order 

 in which the family Forficulidae should be placed. 



In general appearance the Earwig closely resembles the rover- 

 beetle, if to the elongated body of the latter, with its short wing- 

 covers beneath which the true wings are neatly folded, could be 

 added abdominal appendages in the form of sharp, pointed for- 

 ceps, which probably suggested the name, Forficula, meaning 

 literally "little nippers." It was classed with the Coleoptera by 

 Linnaeus. 



Leach and Kirby ranked the family as a distinct order, to which 

 they gave the name Dermaptera, and Westwood called it Euplex- 

 optera. 



Other writers, noting that the family had apparently four wings, 

 biting mouth-parts and incomplete metamorphosis, in common 

 with well-regulated families of Orthoptera, so included it. 



The Earwig is rare in this section. Contrary to nursery tales 

 and delusions of childhood, it is not harmful to man. 



In Europe, where they abound in great numbers, they are said 

 to become serious pests, feeding upon different kinds of vegeta- 

 tion and having no objection to a diet more especially designed 

 for the human family. 



One small species is found within our city limits. Labia minor 

 Linnaeus, or Labia minuta Scudder. 



