12 Insect Life : Its Why and Wherefore 
way into the ears of people sleeping in the 
open air. 
The slightest anatomical knowledge of 
the ear will prove conclusively that it is 
next to an impossibility for an insect of 
any kind to enter the ear proper, and 
perhaps least of all an insect constructed 
as the earwig is. Then, too, if an earwig 
entered the aural orifice for the very 
slightest distance, the peculiar secretion 
which is naturally placed there for the 
preservation of the ear is so very pro- 
nouncedly bitter that in all probability 
the insect would on coming in contact with 
it withdraw at a much greater rate than it 
entered. This whole idea is unworthy of 
perpetuation in these days of enlighten- 
ment. Earwigs in some form are found 
nearly all over the world. There are said 
to be upwards of 300 species. In warm 
countries and in cold countries there are 
earwigs to be found. Several species are 
found in Great Britain, of which only two are 
common, viz., “Forficula Auricularia” and 
the smaller “ Labia Minor.” The former of 
these, with which we are specially dealing, 
is common to all parts of Europe. Most 
