ORTHOPTERA. 43 



ORTHOPTEPiA. 



Leaving the Rhyncota, we come to the Ortiiop- 

 TERA, the Insects constituting this Order having eacli 

 a mouth formed for biting. The word Orihoptera 

 (from orthos, '* straight," and pteron, " a wing "), is 

 appHed to this order, because all the insects be- 

 longing to it are distinguished by their posterior 

 wings, which are generally large and strongly reticulated, 

 being longitudinally folded when at rest. The metam- 

 orphosis is incomplete, both larva and pupa being in 

 this order, as in the preceding one, active, and resem- 

 bling the perfect insect, except that the former has no 

 wings, and the latter only rudiments. The abdomen 

 often terminates in two bristle-like appendages forming 

 an ovipositor. The insects belonging to this order often 

 assume strange and grotesque forms, such as leaves and 

 sticks, hence called " walking-leaves," and " walking- 

 sticks," as the Phyllium Siccifolium, and the Bacteria 

 fragilis ; they occur principally in warm climates, very 

 few being found in Europe. The Orthoptera are divided 

 into two large sections, viz., the Saltatorial and the 

 Cursorial ; in the former the hind legs are always much 

 lengthened and formed for leaping, as in crickets, grass- 

 hoppers, and locusts. In the latter the legs are formed 

 for running, as in the cockroaches. The Saltatorial Or- 

 thoptera include three families, the Locustidse, the Gryl- 

 lidse, and the Achetidss. The destructive species of 

 the first family is happily seldom seen in this country. 

 The fearful ravages of these insect-pests in localities they 

 visit are well-known. 



