Fig. 63.—Orchesella Rufescens (Mag.)
The food of these creatures consists of decayed vegetable matter.
Three principal families may be recognised—viz., Lepesmidæ, Campodeidæ, and Japygidæ.
Tribe IX.—Collembola or Spring Tails.
These insects closely resemble the previous tribe in general character, to which also the same remarks nearly apply.
They are generally small insects, a length of a quarter of an inch being considerably above the average. They are found commonly in loose earth, under decaying leaves in woods, in moss, under the bark of dead trees, and in rotten stumps. They always prefer damp situations.
Fig. 64.—Isotoma Gervaisi (Mag.)
Cold seems to have but little effect upon them; they will recover their activity after being frozen. One species, Desoria glacialis, is found enjoying itself upon the Swiss glaciers, and another, Degeeria nivalis, occurs upon the surface of snow in many parts of Europe. Some species also may be met with hopping about upon the surface of standing water. Podura aquatica, a minute blue-black species, is common in such situations in England.