LOCUSTS AXD GRASSHOPPERS {ACRWIID.E). 99 



Of the Escape of the ] ^oiing from the Egg. 



It is usual for all the young in a given mass to burst 

 from the ^g'g very nearly at one and the same time, and 

 in that event the lowermost individuals await the escape 

 of those in front, which first push out through the neck 

 of their earthy dwelling. One after the other, through 

 one small hole, they all escape into the light of day. The 

 actual method of hatching of Staiironotus viaroccanus, as 

 described by Kunckel d'Herculais, is most interesting. 

 According to him, an ampulla plays the principal part in 

 the process. To escape from the capsule, the young 

 Stauronotus puts into action an ampulla formed by the 

 cutaneous membrane between the head and the pro- 

 thorax. This ampulla is the more effective in being 

 dilated by fluid from the body cavity, and is maintained 

 in the swollen condition by the insect accumulating air 

 in the crop. 



Each capsule is closed with a well-htting cover, and 

 to detach it, six or seven of the young ones inside unite 

 their efforts to push it off by help of their ampullar. 

 Nature has supplied these young ones with tools : sharp 

 mandibles, powerful legs, furnished with spines and 

 claws ; but these seem not yet at their service, for a 

 reason to be presently discovered. 



We have by no means exhausted the important and 



