FAMILY APH0RUR1D/E 



This group is composed of small insects which have no ven- 

 tral spring. They are soft-bodied, and move slowly, and are 

 very seldom noticed although not uncommon. 



FAMILY PODURID/E 



The Podurids are among the most abundant of insects, al- 

 though on account of their excessively small size they do not 

 attract much attention. 



We have something more than a half dozen species in this 

 country and one of them, Achoruies nivicola, is the form, as 

 one might know from its name, which is commonly found in the 

 late spring upon the surface of snow. 



Fig. 246. — Lepidocyrtus americanus. ( Redrawn from Marlatt.) 



They are commonly found in deep soil which contains more 

 or less soil humus, and have been taken in a stiff clay subsoil at 

 a depth of six feet, but they had probably penetrated to this depth 

 by following the [path of rootlets. They are found upon the 

 surface of water, on mushrooms, and are common among dead 

 leaves in the woods. 



The eggs of one species have been observed. They were 

 fifteen in number, spherical, white, and one one-hundred and 

 eightieth of an inch in diameter. 



386 



