Marvels of the Universe 1107 
So it is with the expanded wing of the 
Earwig, which, directly the muscle is relaxed, 
begins to fall into a number of pleats, exactly 
like a lady’s fan; in fact, there are two fan- 
like actions taking place as the wing closes. 
The tip of the wing drops, bringing the radiat- 
ing creases closer together. As the movement 
continues, they close like a fan, and in so 
doing start another central point on the trans- 
verse crease. As the first fan is closing, the 
ribs are turned to the back of the wing, and 
draw the second series of ribs and creases 
underneath the stiffener until the main part of 
the wing is folded up so tightly that only a 
small part of the wing beyond the trans- 
verse crease is flat. At this stage the Earwig 
requires a little help, and turning up her body, _— i 
she opens wide the pincers as shown on page eo dee SEAWEED LIMESTONE. aga ie 
IIIo, the points just press upon the flat part 
A section of limestone-rock composed of joints of Halimeda, 
of the wing, and the act of closing the pincers Home Willen, Newy Inelaiclee, (Negra ote) 
gives the wing the necessary fold, and the tail straightens out again, the folded wings are dropped 
and the wing cases assume their natural closed position (page III2). 
Apart from its wonderful wings, the Earwig shows that it has maternal instincts, in its remark- 
able care for its eggs, which, in spring, are often turned up and scattered when digging over one’s 
garden. It is most interesting to watch how carefully the mother Earwig will collect these eggs, 
taking them one by one to some place of safety underground—where she broods over them 
until hatched. The young Earwigs remain with the mother until large enough to take care of 
themselves. 
It should be added that all our figures are taken from the female Earwig. The sexes may be 
distinguished at a glance by the shape of the forceps, those of the female being almost straight, 
their inner edges meeting when closed. Those 
of the male are of more pleasing shape, taking 
the form of a pair of calipers, their edges not 
being capable of meeting except at the tips. 
In both sexes they are habitually carried 
open, with their tips higher than their base— 
the most impressive attitude, because it enables 
them to be seen at once by an approaching 
possible enemy. But the Earwig is by no 
means an aggressive insect, one might say 
that appearances are in favour of regarding 
it as a coward, for in daylight it is always 
seeking cover, and appears to share the belief 
attributed to the ostrich, that if it can only 
hide its head in some creyice its body will 
not be seen. It may be, however, that this 
trick is due to a sensitiveness of its eyes to 
daylight, it being essentially a nocturnal insect. Meee onmod hemroclchownbabevembutihereleceumunder, 
It is then that it gnaws at the edges of the tbe miexossape, Iichily macutitech 
Photo by} [F. Chapman. 
SEAWEED LIMESTONE. 
