298 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
numberless winding ways that lead to it, and a ditch drawn 
about it, which few of its insect enemies are abie to pass. 
But their care is not confined to this only ; for, at the ap- 
proach of winter, they carry their nest entirely away, and 
sink it deeper in the ground, so that the frost can have no 
influence in retarding the young brood from coming to ma- 
turity. As the weather grows milder, they raise their maga- 
zine in proportion; till, at last, they bring a as near the 
surface as they can, to receive the genial influence of the 
sun, without wholly exposing it to view; yet should the 
frost unexpectedly return, they sink it again as before. 
Op the Earwig. We should still keep in memory, that 
all insects of the second order, though not produced quite 
perfect from the egg, yet want very little of their perfection, 
and require but a very small change to arrive at that state 
which fits them for flight and generation. 
Of all this class of insects, the earwig undergoes the small- 
est change. This animal is so common, that it scarce needs 
a description : its swiftness, in the reptile state, is not less 
remarkable than its indefatigable velocity when upon the 
wing. That it must be very prolific, appears from its num- 
bers ; and that it is very harmless^ every one’s experience can 
readily testify. It is provided with six feet, and two feelers : 
the tail is forked ; and with this it often attempts to defend 
itself against every assailant. But its attempts are only the 
threats of impotence ; they draw down the resentment of 
powerful animals, but no way serve to defend it. The de- 
formity of its figure, and its slender make, have also sub- 
jected it to an imputation, which, though entirely founded 
in prejudice, has more than once procured its destruction. 
It is supposed, as the name imports, that it often enters into 
the ears of people sleeping ; thus causing madness, from the 
intolerable pain, and soon after death itself. 
Indeed, the French name, which signifies the ear-piercer, 
urges the calumny against this harmless insect in very plain 
terms: yet nothing can be more unjust; the ear is already 
filled with a substance which prevents any insect from enter- 
ing; and, besides, it is well lined and defended with mem- 
branes, which would keep out any little animal, even though 
the ear-wax were away. These reproaches, therefore, are 
entirely groundless : but it were well if the accusations which 
gardeners bring against the earwig were as slightly founded. 
There is nothing more certain, than that it lives among 
flowers, and destroys them. When fruit also has been 
wounded by flies, the earwig generally comes in for a second 
