CLASS V. INSKCTA. 219 



irregular flights in many parts of Europe, and visited England: but 

 they perished in a very short time, before they did much hann. 



" Of all the insects which are capable of adding to the calamities 

 of the human race, locusts seem to possess the most formidable 

 powers of destruction. Legions of these voracious animals of various 

 species are produced in Africa, where the devastation they commit 

 is almost incredible. The air is darkened by their numbers; they 

 carry desolation with them wherever they pass, and in the short 

 sjrace of a few hours are said to change the most fertile provinces in- 

 to a barren desert. 



" Some of the species ser\'c as food, and are eaten fresh as well as 

 salted. In the latter state they are constantly exposed to sale in the 

 Levant, but the quantitj^ of nutritious matter is said to be very small." 



Stihps 2. — Hinder legs longer than the body : antenna capitate: scu- 

 trllum short. 



Genus 265. GOMPIIOCERUS. Uadis MSS. Gomphoceuos. 



Thu7ib. 

 Hinder legs longer than the body : antenna; capitate ; club of the anten- 

 nae spoon-shaped in both sexes : anterior tibia; simple. 

 Sp. 1. Gon/ph. rufus, 

 Gryllus rufus. LinnL 

 Inhabits England. 



Stirps 3. — Wings covered by the scutellum. 



Genus 266. ACRYDIUM. Fubr., Geoff., Dc Gecr, Oliv., Leach. 

 Sp. 1. Aer. subulatwn. Obscure, testaceous brown, granulose : tliorax 



carinated, marginated. 

 Gryllus sidudatus. Linn, Acrydium subulatum. Fabr., Oliv., Leach. 



Tetrix subulata. Latr. 

 Inhabits Europe. It is found on hot and sandy banks, and is subject 



to some variation in colour. 

 The species of Acrydium are but little understood. We seem to 



possess three verj- distinct indigenous species, all varying in size, 



sculpture, and colour. 



Order VI. DICTYOPTERA. Lecicli. 

 Order Hemiptera. LinnL 

 Class Ulonata. Fabr. 

 Order Orthopteka. Latr, 



Characters of the Order. 



Flytra coriaceous, nervose, decussating each other : wings membrS,- 

 naceous, with a few longitudinal folds: maxillary palpi elongate: 

 bpdij depressed, oval, or somewhat orbicular ; taniviiih. five joints. 



