ORDER Iil.—STRAIGHT-WINGED INSECTS. Tit 
The Mote-cricker (Acheta gryllotalpa) is larger than 
either of the three species, being about two inches long, 
and distinguished from the others by having very wide 
mole-like fore feet, very short wings, and short hind legs. 
Its body is of a grayish color, and its feet are brown. 
From the peculiar construction of its fore feet it may 
readily be inferred that it acts in the same manner under 
ground as the mole, and so it does; it feeds on the roots of 
plants, and is sometimes very injurious to our gardens and 
meadows. ‘This insect is scarcely ever seen above ground, 
but its presence may easily be detected by the withering 
blight that marks its subterranean ravages. We frequently 
see large spots of grass in our meadows becoming yellow, 
and drying up, because its roots are devoured by the Mole- 
cricket, which dwells under it. ‘These insects would prove 
much more annoying and injurious to us, were they not 
constantly being destroyed by moles, lizzards, and snakes. 
Cockroaches (Blatta). 
The Common Cockroacu (BLlatta orientalis) has been so 
universally known in the Old and the New World for ages, 
that it is almost impossible to ascertain whence it first orig- 
inated. Suffice it to say that it has a flat body, about an 
inch long, of a dirty yellow or black color, and long awl- 
shaped antennz, each of which is composed of eighty joints. 
Cockroaches, as is well known, are very voracious, and 
devour every thing that comes in their way, and as they 
are at the same time very prolific, they should always be 
destroyed when encountered. This may be done by pour- 
ing boiling water upon them, or suffocating them with sul- 
phur smoke. Many houses in St. Petersburg have been so 
infested with them that it has actually been necessary to 
burn them down in order to get rid of these noxious in- 
sects. 
