79 



Genus XXX. FORFICULA. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antenna setaceous. Palpi four, unequal, and 

 filiform. Elytra very short and covering the 

 folded wings. Abdomen terminating in a kind 

 of forceps. Tarsi with three articulations. 



General Observations. 



The insects of this genus are found in the 

 ground and in moist places ; under stones, and 

 under the bark of old half-decayed trees. They 

 feed on different substances, but are particu- 

 larly fond of fruits. Degeer observes, that about 

 the beginning of April, the females may be 

 found under stones with a collection of eggs, 

 which they watch with the greatest care, never 

 going far from their charge ; and if they should 

 be scattered abroad, collecting them again one 

 by one, till they are all restored to the same 

 place. Previous to laying the eggs, their body 

 is greatly inflated, and the beating of the heart, 

 or principal artery which runs along the back, 

 may be plainly distinguished through the trans- 

 parent skin. The young insects resemble the 



