330 



INSECTS ABKOAD. 



amounts to genius. Knowing that at the British Museum 

 any attempt to substitute a portion of one insect for that of 

 another would be detected, he has removed the elytra, and 

 replaced them with the greatest neatness, only with the under 

 surface upioards. The effect on the appearance of the insect is 

 really wonderful. There is nothing obtrusive about it, but the 

 splendid colouring of tlie elytra harmonizes so well with the 

 wings and the rest of the body, that none but an accomplished 

 entomologist, apt to suspect and keen to unmask imposture, 

 would think that the insects in question were not genuine speci- 

 mens. The ingenuity of the procedure was further enhanced by 

 the fact that several specimens were offered for sale together. 

 A single specimen might have aroused suspicion, but three or 

 four, all exactly alike, were calculated to lull it. 



The Philippine Islands produce the beautiful insect which is 

 known under the name of Gryllacris signifera. It is represented 



106 — Grjlhoussigniltra 



with alternate daik btii])ts.) 



of the natural size. The chief point of interest in this insect 

 •ies in the wings, wdiich are very large and marked with alter- 

 nate dark stripes. 



There are several species belonging to this genus, one of wliich, 

 Gryllncris spurraia, from Java, is remarkable for the enormous 



