A HISTORY OF ESSEX Owing to the unsatisfactory condition of natural history nomencla- ture and the frequent mistakes made by early writers and observers many ancient records are of more than doubtful value, and where any such have been used the authorities for them have been given, but as a rule they have been ignored. All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and completeness, and insufficient and unsatisfactory as some of the lists are, it is yet hoped that on the whole they will compare not unfavourably with those of other counties, and that they very fairly represent the extent of our knowledge at the present day. ORTHOPTERA Our list of British Orthoptera is a very short one, and of the few recorded as having been met with a large proportion must be regarded as casual immigrants or naturalized foreigners. In Essex little attention seems hitherto to have been paid to these insects, but those named below have been identified in the Colchester district, and doubtless several more will be found there and elsewhere in the county when they are sytematically sought for. FORFICULARIA Earwigs The Lesser Earwig (Labia minor] may occasionally be found in some numbers in manure heaps, but does not generally obtrude itself upon our notice after the manner of its larger relative. The Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia) is much too common, and is one of the most troublesome insect pests we have, as scarcely any- thing comes amiss to it in the way of food, and no place seems to be secure from its invasion. It varies considerably, especially in the length of the forceps, and formerly some of its varieties were described as distinct species. Forficula /esnei, Finot., has only recently been identified as British, though it probably existed previously as an old inhabitant under another name. It is far from common, but seems to be well distributed and may be beaten from trees and bushes and shaken out of rubbish in damp places. BLATTODEA Cockroaches FjCtobiida. Ectobia panzeri, Steph., is not uncommon in several places on our coast sands. The variety nigripes, Steph., is of much less frequent occurrence. Pbyllodromiidez. Phyllodromia germanica, L., was formerly excessively abundant in one of the principal hotels in Colchester, where it was said to have been introduced in officers' luggage. Mr. G. F. Mathew reports it as common at Dovercourt. 92
