J 34 COLEOPTERA. 
chance rather than from habit : its gene 
ral disposition to conceal itself in dark 
nooks and crevices may have led it there, 
without supposing any natural predilec- 
tion for that place. 
Lucy, Indeed, mamma, that seems 
very likely, as they hide in the lobsters 
claws and bean stalks, which the gar- 
dener puts as traps for them. Are there 
many species in this genus ? 
Mother, There is one other English spe- 
cies, theforficula minor, but it is not above 
a third part of the size of the common 
earwig ; it is usually found near hot beds, 
and may be often seen about sunset, fly- 
ing home, or creeping into the fine 
earth, which is spread upon melon beds. 
It is shaped exactly like the former kind, 
but of a pale chesnut colour. 
This is the last genus of coleoptera, 
that I shall mention. The second order 
is called herniptera: but this conversa- 
tion has been rather long, and you seem 
tired. 
Lucy, Indeed, mamma, I do not 
