238 ELEMENTARY STUDIES IN INSECT LIFE 



CHAPTER II 



INCOMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS 



THE GRASSHOPPER 



THE materials required for the study of the develop- 

 ment and habits of the grasshopper are simple and 

 within the possibilities of anyone: a breeding-cage, a 

 pair of sharp eyes, a hand-lens, and an insect net. 



The breeding-cage can be very simply made by cover- 

 ing with wire netting an open space left on each side 

 of a good-sized store-box, and placing a quantity of 

 sand in the bottom of the box. This should be placed 

 where a moderate amount of sunlight will reach it 

 during a part of the day. Young grasshoppers arc tin- 

 ones to be desired, and these can be recognized by the 

 absence of wings, and the presence of wing-pads in- 

 stead. In the very first stages of the grasshopper's life 

 even these wing-pads are absent. Many of these young 

 grasshoppers may be taken without the aid of a net. 



A net will facilitate the work greatly, and will also 

 be required in other branches of the study. (See page 

 224 for directions for making net.) 



A good hand-lens can be procured from the jeweler 

 or from some optical firm. ( See page 2:)7 for addresses 

 of firms.) Of the lenses more moderate in price, the 

 one known as the Coddington is the best. In buying a 

 lens it will be well to purchase one that will work 

 upon the home-made dissecting microscope described on 

 page 251. 



