CHAPTER VIII. 



THE ORTHOPTERA. 



There are not many typical forms amongst the Orthoptera. 

 Most of them are well known, and the Earwigs, the Crickets, 

 the Grasshoppers and the Locusts, are the familiar examples. 



If we institute a comparison between the Orthoptera and the 

 Colcoptcra some very interesting results may be obtained. So 

 far as their structures are concerned there is a great general 

 likeness between the two groups, but there are enormous dif- 

 ferences as regards the progress of their development. The 

 Orthoptera are insects that bite and browse like the Colcoptcra, 

 and the structures of their mouths are not more unlike than 

 they usually are in families belonging to the same order. The 

 organs of flight, however, distinguish the Orthoptera from all 

 other insects. The anterior wings differ in their texture and 

 general form from the posterior, they are of almost leathery con- 

 sistence, and with one exception they cross each other when the 

 insect is quiet. The hind wings are very characteristic. They are 

 membranous, much veined, and their large nervures are almost 

 like straight sticks. These wings fold themselves up longitudinally, 

 like a fan, hence the name of Orthoptera {op6os, straight ; Ttrepa, 

 wings). 



If we only find moderate differences between the adult Or- 

 thoptera and Colcoptcra, there are nevertheless very great differ- 

 ences between them in the early part of their existence. The 

 earwigs, the crickets, and the grasshoppers, on leaving the ^gg 

 have the form, the appearance, and almost all the characteristics 

 of the adults whose method of life they also follow. Whilst the 



