Fam. ACRIDID^, Walk. 



Gryllus Bulla, Acrlda^ nniS. Locusta, Linn.; Grt/llus,Yah.; Gr i/ llkles, Zettest.: 

 Locustidce, LeacI;.; Acrydii, Latr. ; Acrlditcs, Serv. ; Acridiodea, Burm. 



Anterior and middle legs equal or nearly equal in length, iiMich shorter 

 than the posterior pair; posterior legs elongate, fitted for leaping; the femora 

 enlarged near the base. The tarsi three-jointed; the first joint, which is 

 usually the longest of the three, and much longer than the second, has the 

 under side marked by two cross impressions, which give it the appearance, 

 when seen on this side, of being composted of three pieces; the terminal or 

 third joint is furnished with two strong claws. The elytra and wings, when 

 in repose, rest partly horizontal on the back of the abdomen, and partly 

 deflexed against the sides. The aniennse are shorter than the body, seldom 

 exceeding half its length, and composed of from six to twenty-four joints; 

 they are either filiform, flattened, or ensiform, rarely clavate. The ovipos- 

 itor consists of four short corneous pieces, two curving upward and two curv- 

 ing downward. Most of the species possess wings ; but in a few the«e organs 

 are wanting. 



SuB-FAM. I -ACRIDIN^. 



Spongiphori, Serv.; Chceradotrachelia, Fieb. 



The anterior margin of the prosternum truncate, not elevated; the mouth 

 free and uncovered; the face either vertical or more or less oblique (sloped 

 under and backward toward the breast) ; the posterior extremity of the pro- 

 notum is either truncate, rounded, or angular, and extends backward, at farth- 

 est, but a short distance upon the base of the elytra; the tarsi are furnished 

 with pulvilli, or little pads, between the claws. The species vary in length 

 from half an inch to four inches. 



This sub-family admits three divisions, as follows: 

 A. Head produced in front into a cone or pyramid ; face quite oblique ; 



antenna} triquetrous ConoccphaUdcii. 



A A. Head obtuse or sub-conic ; face vertical or sub oblique ; auteuuai 

 not triquetrous : . 



a. Antenna- filiform or clavate OrtJioccridcs. 



aa. Antenn;u acuminate Xiphoccrides. 



