EDWARD NEWMAN
  (fl 1840)

Edward Newman will probably be best remembered for his
History of British Ferns and Introduction to the Study of Insects,
both of which garnered good reviews and sales, going three and four editions
respectively. His less renowned poetry may have been inspired by his
many long rambles through the English countryside, presumably
studying the aforementioned ferns and insects.

Earwigs

First of walkers come the Earwigs,
Earwigs or FORFICULINA;
At the tail we find a weapon,
Very like a pair of pincers.

And with this 'tis said the earwigs
Open and fold up the hind wings;
You may watch them and observe it;
I have never had the pleasure.

(From the anthology Very Bad Poetry, edited by Kathryn Petras
and Ross Petras, Vintage, NY, 1977)