SONGS OF KATYDIDS. 455 



and in the winded forms the hind legs are usually longer and 

 much more slender. The males have, in many instances, abdom- 

 inal appendages corresponding to the parts of the ovipositor 

 which are used as clasping organs. 



The stridulating or musical organ of the males is quite similar 

 in structure to that of the male cricket, being found at the base 

 of the overlapping dorsal area of the upper tegmen and usually 

 consisting of a transparent membrane, of a more or less rounded 

 form, which is crossed by a prominent curved vein, which, on the 

 under side, bears a single row of minute file-like teeth. In stridu- 

 lating, the tegmina are moved apart and then shuffled together 

 again, when these teeth are rubbed over a. vein on the upper sur- 

 face of the other wing cover, producing the familiar, so-called 

 "katydid" sound. Each of the different species makes a distinct 

 call or note of its own, and many of them have two calls, one 

 which they use by night and the other by day. Any one who will 

 pay close attention to these different calls can soon learn to dis- 

 tinguish each species by its note as readily as the ornithologist 

 can recognize different species of birds in the same manner. 



Tn the northern States the notes of the katydids and green 

 grasshoppers are not heard till in July, as they do not attain their 

 wings until then. C. V. Riley who, like our own beloved Indiana 

 Riley, had within his soul a true love for the poetry of nature, 

 has well set forth (1874, 153) his ideas of the why and wherefore 

 of the songs of this family thus: "During spring, while our birds 

 are making love, and the males rival each other in their attempts 

 to please the females with happy, jubilant song. Dame Nature is 

 rearing a troupe of insect musicians, which, in their turn, will 

 string their lyres and play their courtship-tunes in the later sea- 

 sons, when the song of the feathered performers is mostly hushed. 



"Ley den's lines 



'Oft have I listening mused the sultry clay 



And wondered what thy chirping song might say'- 



but express an inquiry often made as to the purpose and object 

 of the grasshopper song. He who believes all things made for 

 man and his enjoyment, and that nothing can have a purpose that 

 does not include him in its scope, will not find an answer to the 

 query; and should remember that ere man grew out of savagery 

 the earth rang again with song and sound. 



"lint to the mind of the naturalist, trained in deciphering 

 Nature's hieroglyphs, the chattering song is very plainly inspired 

 by love. The male Katydid doubtless feels something of the same 

 satisfaction in playing to his companions, and especially to Katy, 



