THE GREAT GOLDEN DIGGER 



wc found that the abdomen of the grasshopper was beat- 

 ing regularly and automatically, but the closest obser- 

 vation failed to discover any other movements, nor 

 v^ould any part respond when stimulated. At three 

 o'clock in the afternoon we found the abdomen still 

 pulsating, and, in addition, that both antennae moved 

 several times when we lifted off the cover of the jar that 

 contained the insect. On the next morning the grass- 

 hopper was very lively, the antennas and labial palpi 

 moving without stimulation. It had passed faeces, and 

 was able to lift its abdomen, which was curved over to- 

 ward the head, as it lay on its back, frequently and with 

 considerable violence. On the next afternoon there was 

 no change in the movements, but the egg was dead. On 

 the seventh the grasshopper responded to stimulation 

 by a slight movement of the palpi and the end of the 

 abdomen. The pulsation of the abdomen continued 

 until the afternoon of the eighth, when it ceased, no effort 

 of ours succeeding in starting it again. The movements 

 of the antennae and palpi grew, weaker and weaker on 

 the ninth, and on the morning of the tenth the insect 



studied lay the egg on this identical place. He places immense impor- 

 tance on this point, which seems to us rather fanciful. He also no- 

 ticed the pulsation of the abdomen and the movements of the other 

 parts. 



67 



