Euplexoptera.- 
-mSECTS.- 
-Orthoptera. 
239 
Dr. Burmeister first showed that the Paussid.® were 
allied to the Carabidce in the structure of their mouth 
and wings, such as the arrangement of the nervures 
and their way of folding them ; and one group contain- 
ing Ozcena, interesting beetles from the New World, 
with curious elytra with a boss at one end, closely 
resemble some of them. Professor Lacordaire* brings 
them in between the Palpicorus and Brachelytra. 
Sub-order— EUPLEXOPTERA. 
There is a large number of species of this sub-order as 
yet included in onefamil^^. 
Fig. 143. ^ that of the Earwigs or 
FoRFicuLiDiE. These 
insects have a considerable 
resemblance to the Rove 
Beetles or staphylinidous 
Coleoptera. Fig. 143 is 
the representation of an 
Eastern island species 
named Forficula brachy- 
nola. Their first or ely- 
troid wings are leathery 
and very short, and have 
a strait suture. They 
are large enough nearly 
to cover up the very deli- 
cate hind wings, which 
are ample, and have 
many radiating nerves which act as the ribs of a 
fan, and besides their longitudinal, have transverse, 
Forficnla brachynota. 
crumpled folds. It is seldom that you see the 
earwig fly, except the little species, which I have 
seen not uncommonly using its wings. The mouth has 
transverse jaws ; they are short but strong, while “ the 
maxillaj are elongated, the inner lobe being armed with 
small spines at the inner margin ; the outer lobe forms 
a small galea or sheath.” The abdomen ends in a pair 
of caudal pincers — -(Plate 5, fig. 1, Forficula auricu- 
laria). These insects, called earwigs by us, perces- 
oreille by the French, and ohrenwurm by the Germans, 
are disliked everywhere. Their specific name, as well 
as their vulgar names in the European languages are 
derived from the fallacious opinion that they are spe- 
cially addicted to creeping into the ears of people. 
They live chiefly on the petals of flowers, and eat fruit 
and other vegetable substances. 
The Rev. Hamlet Clark found many fine species in 
Brazil. Mr. Cuming brought some remarkable species 
from the Philippine Islands. There are seven British 
species of Earwig arranged in four genera — Lahidura, 
Labia, Forficula, and Apterygida, 
Order— ORTHOPTERA. 
A VERY striking order of insects, most of which are 
large, and none of which, unless the Perlse be orthop- 
terous, are known to be aquatic. The fore wings or teg- 
mina are of a leathery consistence, large, and often 
veined thickly like leaves, and overlap at the tip. 
Their name Orthoptera, or Straightwings, is 
derived from the large hinder wings, which are beauti- 
fully netted with longitudinal and transverse reticula- 
tions, and fold straight like a fan. The antennae are 
generally long and of many joints. The mandibles are 
strong and much toothed, the teeth on one side fitting 
into holes on the other. 
The maxillae have a dilated outer lohe or galea. 
The anus is often furnished with short appendages. 
The larvae very much resemble the perfect insects, 
except that they are smaller and have no wings. 
Many of the Orthoptera are eaten by man. In Aus- 
tralia, for example, the aborigines sometimes feast on 
the large species which form so remarkable a feature 
of the fauna of that countiy. Over the whole of Africa, 
and in some parts of the East, the inhabitants find occa- 
sionally fattening supplies in the countless flocks of, 
locusts. 
Section— CURSORIA. 
The.se insects are so called from their well-developed 
running legs. 
Family — BL ATTID A1 ( Coclcroacles'). 
Some of the Blattid.® are of great size, espeeially 
the South American and West Indian species. Some 
of the Eastern kinds are large and repulsive-looking. 
Several of the Australian species are apterous, such as 
the prettily marked Blatta pulchripes described by the 
writer in the appendix to Captain (now Governor) 
Grey’s narrative. The species of Phoraspis are ofteii 
elegantly coloured or striped with red or yellow ; they 
are found on plants in blossom. 
One genus of Blattidce can roll itself into a ball, 
another is long and narrow and apterous. 
Their eggs are very curious, being in a large horny 
case, open at one side. 
On Plate 5, fig. 2 is figured Blatta Lapponica, a 
species which sometimes abounds in the huts of the 
Laplanders to such an extent, as to destroy great quan- 
tities of their provisions. 
The Common Cockroach of the kitchen {Blatta 
orientalis), commonly called “ the Black Beetle,” is 
much relished by the hedgehog, and this spine-covered 
animal is sometimes kept in kitchens to reduce their 
numbers. Mr. Newman announces that the cockroach 
seeks with diligence the bed bug and devours it. For 
this purpose it is known to climb up the curtains of 
* Coleopteresii, p. 1 ; 1 8.74. 
