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TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 
Lepidoptera , the Hymenoptera, and the Coleoptera are born in a 
very embryonic or immature state, the Orthoptera spring into 
life almost as well developed as the adults, and hardly undergo 
any changes before attaining the perfect form. These changes 
consist of the development of the organs of flight and repro- 
duction. There are many Orthoptera , however, which never 
obtain their organs of flight, and they become adults without 
having acquired the same perfection which is common to the 
rest of the group. They may be said to have had their de- 
velopment arrested, or, perhaps, they are the oldest forms of 
insect life, metamorphosis and wings having been superadded 
to the original kinds. Most of the Orthoptera change their skin 
or moult at certain periods of their growth. Some of the 
insects moult three times successively, and still resemble the 
creature that first came from the egg ; a fourth moult takes 
place, and then the rudiments of crumpled wings may be ob- 
served ; then a fifth change of the skin happens, and it leaves the 
insects with their great wings perfectly finished. The Orthoptera 
which never obtain organs of flight only undergo the first three 
moultings, and those which only have the rudiments of wings 
do not change their skin after the fourth time. They never have 
any period of inactivity; and in consequence of this and of the 
peculiarities of their growth just mentioned they are called insects 
whose metamorphoses are incomplete; but it is customary to call 
those which have no vestiges of wings, larvae, and those which 
have them in a rudimentary state, nymphs. The larvae, nymphs, 
and the perfect insects are active and lead the same kind of life. 
The species of Orthoptera are spread over the whole surface of 
the world, and are particularly abundant in those tropical climates 
where vegetation is in excess. There the herbivorous Orthoptera , 
which are the most numerous, revel amongst plants of all kinds, 
which they consume in great quantity. Usually they are beau- 
tiful insects, embellished with lively and light colours, the shading 
of which is very pleasant to the eye ; but this is not always the 
case, as some of them are remarkably ugly and dark. 
The Forficulidce , which everybody calls the Earwigs, are much 
more remarkable — especially in their habits — than most of us have 
any idea of. They have the credit of crawling into the ears and 
