6898 



Insects. 



become greatly curved, so that the two points overlap each other, 

 forming a ring when closed, and having a strong tooth at the base on 

 each side. In the female the abdomen now apparently — for Mr. 

 Westwood has clearly demonstrated that it is only in appearance — 

 consists of seven segments above and only six beneath, and the for- 

 ceps retains its simple elongate form, having the internal edges 

 slightly crenulated by a row of impressed dots along the edge, whilst 

 the hook at the apex becomes a little more curved. 



I cannot be sure that the above are all the changes these insects 

 undergo, as that can only be clearly settled by rearing a single brood 

 from the eggs, and tracing them up to maturity ; but I believe I am 

 correct, as all the specimens readily corresponded, both as to size 

 and the number of joints in the antennae, where perfect, with some 

 one or other of the above stages of growth. 



These observations appear to me to solve the question as to the 

 period at which the change in the visible number of the segments of 

 the abdomen, amongst the Forficulidae, takes place ; and although 

 there are certainly faint indications by which the sexes may be dis- 

 tinguished in the penultimate state, yet I think we may safely con- 

 clude that, so far as those insects are concerned, no propagation 

 takes place until the ultimate stage is reached. 



I may now say a few words as to the locality in, and the circum- 

 stances under which the insect occurs with us. Every one who 

 knows the Tyne is aware that it is an exporting port, and in return 

 for the coals we send away we receive the stones, gravel and soil of 

 almost every part of the globe, in the shape of ships' ballast, and in 

 such quantity that huge mounds, of the aggregate length of several 

 miles, may be found piled up forty or fifty feet high along its shores. 

 It is at the base of one of these mounds, containing many millions of 

 tons, which has been in the process of deposit for several years past, 

 and abuts upon the sandy sea-shore, although far above high-water 

 mark, that the insect is to be met with in great abundance, under- 

 neath the stones, vitrified scoriae from the glass and alkali works, 

 &c., w^hich roll down from above and rest upon the bare sand. 

 I have noticed that it very frequently clears out for itself cells 

 in the sand underneath the stones, as the common earwig does, 

 though, as might be expected from the lateness of the season, I did 

 not observe any appearance of the females brooding over their young, 

 or having them gathered around them as we constantly see in our na- 

 tive species. I am fully persuaded that this inhabitant of more 

 southern climes is not truly indigenous, but, being peculiarly fitted 



