Introduction to the Synopsis of the Acrididoi. 257 



half of the body in length, but (in the Korth American species) are 

 always longer than the head ; the usual form is cylindrical, but i?i 

 manv species they are enlarged and prismatic at the base, and in a few 

 are somewhat enlarged at the tips. The joints arc numbered from the 

 base toward the apex, the first joint being the largest and subglobose, 

 or somewhat flattened. The face is terminated below by a transverse 

 sutui-e, called the dypecd or nasal suture. The dijpem is the next piece 

 below the suture, and is usually in the form of a transverse parallelo- 

 gram, and "tucked" at the sides. Attached to the lower margin of 

 this is the lahrmn or upper lip, the lower corners rounded, and the 

 lower margin generally notched ; the upper half has a quadrangular 

 impression, giving this portion the appearance of a separate square 

 piece. The suture which separates the upper lip from the clypeus may 

 be called the labial suture. 



The labrum covers the mandibles, or strong, corneous, upper jaws, 

 which are furnished on the inner margin with strong teeth or serra- 

 tures, presenting both cutting and grinding surfaces ; thus admirably 

 adapting them to the voracious habits of these vegetable-eaters. 



Immediately behind these are the maxilke, or under jaws ; the basal 

 portion or body is somewhat triangular in form ; the outer lobe (galea) 

 is slightly dilated, and has a small joint at the base ; it is hollowed on 

 its inner margin, which covers the inner lobe. The latter is elongate 

 and narrow, terminating at the apex with two sharp teeth. Near the 

 base of these jaws are attached the maxillary pal^n, one palpus to each 

 jaw ; these appendages resemble short antenna?, and consist of fine 

 joints, the first and second -being minute, the other three are longer, 

 and usually about of equal length. 



The under side of the mouth (or in Acridida;, as in many other fami- 

 lies of insects, we might more properly say, th.e back or hinder part) 

 is covered by the labium, or lower lip, which is large, and consists of 

 two lobes ; the outer lobe is more or less circular in form, its surface 

 near the exterior margin being crossed by an indenture, which gives 

 to it, when closed, the appearance of a mandible. This member is 

 also furnished with two appendages (labial palin), resembling the 

 the maxillary palpi, but are shorter, and composed of but four joints, 

 the first or basal joint being very small, and often scarcely perceptible. 

 The tongue (lingua) is well developed, thick, fleshy (and somewhat 

 spatulate in form in Acridium Americanum) ; it is situated immediately 

 forward of tlie labium, and between the maxilla?, and its minutely 

 pappillate surface certainly indicates that the sense of taste is well 

 developed. The head is connected with the thorax by the neck (col- 

 lu.m), which is but a short cylindrical ring, usually hid % the pro- 

 notum ; it is not used in describing genera or si^ecies. 



