Idiroduction to the Synopsis of the AcriJiJce. 2G5 



the Acrldhke, its functions, according to Leon Defour, being performed 

 by the pyloric valve, which is situated at the posterior extremity of the 

 first portion, where it joins the next. The second, according to the 

 author named, is the chylific ventricle, and is the longest portion of the 

 canal, though not more expanded than the posterior portion of the 

 oesophagus ; its form is subcylindrical. The two last divisions are 

 somewhat smaller than the previous ones, and constitute the intestines. 

 The hepatic organ consists of a number of simple, elongate, cylindrical 

 filaments, uniting with the digestive apparatus at the junction of the 

 second and third apartments. 



The salivary glands are but slightly developed in this familv, reach- 

 ing their simplest form in the Tettigince, 



The respiratory apparatus of the Acrididce does not differ materially 

 from that of the other insects, consisting of a number of elastic anasto- 

 mosing tubes or tracheae, which have their orio'in and communicate 

 with the external air at the stigmata, or little inouths, one of which is • 

 placed on each side of the thoracic and first eight abdominal segments. 



The ovaries consist of two tubes, which are attenuate for a short dis- 

 tance near the base (posterior extremity, where they x;nite), but 

 beyond which they are inflated, terminating at the extremity in a long, 

 slender, cylindrical tube. From the inner side of the inflated portion 

 extend a number of multilocular tubes, tapering to the extremity; 

 these, when fully expanded, resemble, in their position and ajDpear- 

 ance, with regard to the main tubes, the teeth of a comb ; but their 

 natural position is one of great beauty, folded together from each 

 side, with their points projecting forward, appearing like delicate 

 chains. The seminal receptacle consists of a pedunculated vessel, 

 whose closed extremity is dilated into a pea-shaped vesicle, forming 

 the capsula seminis. 



It has been repeatedly stated that the species of this family lay 

 their eggs in a cocoon-shaped mass, covered with a tough, glutinous 

 secretiou, var\'ing in number from fifty to one hundred. This 

 may be a very common method, but it is by no means universal. 

 It is the method followed by the migratory locusts of Europe, and, 

 from what I learn, I am satisfied it is the same with the destructive, 

 migratoxy species (^Caloptenus spretus) of the West; but it is not the 

 method followed by Acridium Americanum, which I have noticed 

 digging into and depositing its eggs in the hard-trodden ground. I 

 have also obtained the eggs of C. femur-ruhrum in rotten wood, where 

 they were phiced without any apparent regularity, and without con- 

 nection by any glutinous secretion. ]Mr. S. I. Smith has noticed the 

 game thing in regard to Chlcealtis consper&a, except that the eggs are 

 placed in two rows. 



