362 MOTIONS OF INSECTS. 



same purpose. But the most remarkable burroWer 

 amongst perfect insects is that singular animal the mole- 

 cricket [Gryllolalpa viilgarisY- This creature is en- 

 dowed with wonderful strength, particularly in its thorax 

 and fore legs. The former is a very hard and solid shell 

 or crust, covering like a shield the trunk of the animal ; 

 and the latter are remarkably fitted for burrowing, 

 both by their strength and construction. The shanks 

 are very broad, and terminate obliquely in four enor- 

 mous sharp teeth'', like so many fingers : the foot con- 

 sists of three joints — the two first being broad and tooth- 

 shaped, and pointing in an opposite direction to the 

 teeth of the shank ; and the last small, and armed at the 

 extremity with two short claws. This foot is placed 

 inside the shank, so as to resemble a thumb and perform 

 the office of onc*^. The direction and motion of these 

 hands, as in moles, is outwards ; thus enabling the ani- 

 mal most effectually to remove the earth when it bur- 

 rows. By the help of these powerful instruments, it is 

 astonishing how instantaneously it buries itself. This 

 creature works under ground like a field-mouse, raising 

 a ridge as it goes ; but it does not throw up heaps like 

 its name-sake the mole. They will in this manner un- 

 dermine whole gardens ; and thus in wet and swampy 

 situations, in which they delight, they excavate their 

 curious apartments, before described. The field-cricket 

 [Gnjllus campcslris) is also a burrower, but by means of 

 different instruments ; for with its strong jaws, toothed 

 like the claws of a lobster, but sjiarper, in heaths and 

 other dry situations it perforates and rounds its curious 

 and regular cells. The house-cricket (G. domcstiais), 



' Platk II. Fir.. 2. " Plate XV. Fig. 6. rr. ' Ibkl. h. 



