Teacher's Leaflet. 



1195 



A cricket cage 



Ask the pupils to bring all the crickets they 

 can catch. In each cage place a male and one or 

 more females, the latter being readily distinguished 

 by the long ovipositor. Place the cages in a sunny 

 window, where the pupils may observe them at 

 recess, and ask for the following observations. 

 While studying the cricket closely it may be well 

 to put one in a vial and pass it around. While 

 observing the crickets eat, it is well to give them 

 a piece of sweet apple or melon rind, as they are 

 very fond of pulpy fruits. 



Observations. — 



(i). Is the covering of the cricket shining, like 

 black patent leather, or is it dull? What parts 

 are dull? Of what use do you think it is to the 

 cricket to be so smoothly polished? 



(2). Where did you find the crickets? When 

 you tried to catch them, how did they act? Did they fly like grass- 

 hoppers or did they run and leap ? 



(3). Look carefully at the cricket's legs. Which is the largest of the 

 threepairs? Of what use are these strong legs? Look carefully at the tibia 

 of the hind leg. Can you see the strong spines at the end, just behind 

 the foot or tarsus? Watch the cricket jump and see if you can discover 

 the use of these spines. How many joints in the foot? Has the cricket 

 a pad like the grasshopper's between its claws? When the cricket walks 

 or jumps does it walk on the entire foot of each leg? 



(4). Study the cricket's head. Can you see the eyes? Describe the 

 antennae, their color, length, and the way they are used. Watch the 

 cricket clean its antennae and describe the process. Can you see the 

 little feelers, or palpae, connected with the mouth? How many are 

 there? How does it use these feelers in tasting food before it eats? 

 Watch the cricket eat and see if you can tell whether its mouth is 

 made for biting or sucking. 



(5). Study the wings. Are the wings of the mother cricket the same 

 size and shape as those of her mate? How do they differ? Does the 

 cricket have any wings under these wing covers, as the grasshopper 

 does? Note the cricket when he is playing his wing mandolin to attract 

 his mate. How does he make the noise? Can you see the wings vibrate ? 

 Ask your teacher to show you a picture of the musical wings of tfie 

 cricket, or to show you the wings themselves under the microscope, 

 so that you can see how the music is made. 



