I40 TRUE TALES OF THE INSECTS. 



individuals of the grasshopper varied similarly in colour 

 in imitation of the stones. The differences found among 

 individuals of the same species of desert Eremobiens are 

 sometimes wonderfully great. 



Two peculiar North American genera, Haldmanella 

 and Brachystola, are known to represent this group 

 in the New World. From its strange form and move- 

 ments, B. magna has received the popular names of 

 "buffalo-hopper" and "lubber-grasshopper." Almost 

 equal in size to i\Iethone anderssoni, it is not, like that 

 insect, in correspondence with arid spots. It inhabits 

 verdant prairies in temperate regions ; and is more or 

 less smooth of body, and green in tint, and rests 

 concealed during the day under tufts of grass. Sound- 

 producing instruments it has none, though there may 

 be vestiees or rudiments of these. 



Our native Acridiidee belong chiefly to the genera 

 Stenobothrus and Gomphocerus, whose musical instru- 

 ments have been described. They are the little grass- 

 hoppers which are common in our fields, and well known 

 to children for their saltatorial powers. The species 

 of the genus Tettix are not uncommon. Besides these 

 AcridiidcE, it will be remembered, three species of 

 migratory locusts are occasionally met with in Britain. 



