2 INTRODUCTION, 



proposed to include in the Ortlioptera under the title of Psendo- 

 neuroptera ; the Dragonflies, however, have four membranous 

 wings, generally resembling each other closely, and covered by a 

 network of veins. There are a few small groups of insects which 

 are sometimes included in the Ortlioptera, which are now more 

 usually regarded as aberrant Neuroptera, or else as independent 

 Orders. These are the Thysauoptera, Anoplura, Mallophaga, 

 Thysauura, and Collembola. 



The Orthoptera proper are divided into seven principal families, 

 of which the first four have the hind legs fitted for walking. They 

 comprise the Forficulid^ or Earwigs, the Blattid^ or Cock- 

 roaches, the Mantim: or Praying Insects, and the Phasmid.ti; or 

 Stick Insects (sometimes called Spectre Insects), 



The Leaping Oi'thoptera have the hind legs strongly developed, 

 and the hind femora much thickened ; they comprise the Gryl- 

 LiD."E or Crickets, the Phasgonurii>,i: or Long-horned Grasshoppers 

 (often improperly called Locustid.i:), and the Acridiid-T-, the 

 Short-horned Grasshoppers or Locusts. The last family, the 

 one with wliich alone we are here concerned, may generally be 

 recognized at a glance by the short antennae and the 3-jointed 

 tarsi. 



General Observations. 



The Order Orthoptera is the least numerous of the great 

 Orders of Insects, with the possible exception of the Neuroptera, 

 and is very poorly represented in England, In the Indian 

 Hegion the species are far more numerous, and sometimes occur 

 in devastating swarms, especially in the north-western regions, 

 which are exposed to the attacks of various species of Migrator}^ 

 Locusts. 



[Some species are only found in woods, others only in open 

 grass land, and some prefer very rough ground. They deposit 

 their eggs in the ground in masses, covered with a glutinous 

 secretion, 



A detailed account of the migratory species and their allies, by 

 Mr. H, Maxwell Lefroy, will be found in the ' Memoirs of the 

 Department of Agriculture in India, 190(5, Entomological Series,' 

 vol, i. No, 1, with numerous illustrations. The species refei-red 

 to are : — 



Acridmm peregrinnm, 01, (Schistocerca tatarica, L., of this 



work), the North-West migratory locust. 

 Acridiinn snccinctum, L. (OrtJiacanthacris of this work), the 



Bombay locust. 

 Acridium ceruc/inosum , Barm. (^Cyrtacanthacris ranacea, Stoll, 



of this work). 

 Acridium melanocorne, Serv, {OrtJiacanthacris nigricornis, 



Burm., of this work), 

 Pcecilocera picta, E. 



Demodocus rohustus, Serv. {Heteracris of this work). 

 Hieroghjplms furcifer, Serv. {H, hanian, E., of this work). 



