366 MOTIONS OF INSECTS. 



insects that bmToro, either to conceal themselves or 

 their young-. Though the latter is not always a loco- 

 motion, I shall consider it under this head, to preserve 

 the unity of the subject. Many enter the earth by 

 means of fore legs particularly formed for the purpose. 

 The flat, dentated anterior shanks, with slender feet, 

 that distinguish the chafers (SearabcBidce) — all of which 

 in their first states live under ground, and many occa- 

 sionally in their last — enable them to make their way 

 either into the earth or out of it. Two other genera 

 of beetles (Scarites and Clivina, Latr.)* have these 

 shanks palmated, or armed with longer teeth at their 

 extremity, for the same purpose. But the most re- 

 markable burrower amongst perfect insects is that sin- 

 gular animal the mole-cricket {Gryllotalpa vulgaris^ 

 Latr.)''. This creature is endowed with wonderful 

 strength, particularly in its thorax and fore legs. The 

 former is a very hard and solid shell or crust, covering 

 like a shield the trunk of the animal ; and the latter are 

 uncommonly fitted for burrowing, both by their strength 

 and construction. The shanks are very broad, and 

 terminate obliquely in four enormous sharp teeth % 

 like so many fingers : the foot consists of three joints 

 — the two first being broad and tooth-shaped, and 

 pointing in an opposite direction to the teeth of the 

 shank ; and the last small, and armed at the extremity 

 with two short claws. This foot is placed inside the 

 shank, so as to resemble a thumb and perform the of- 

 fice of one '^. The direction and motion of these hands, 

 as in moles, is outwards; thus enabling the animal 



' Plate XV. Fig. 5. *" Plate II. Fig. 2. 



" PiATE XV. Fig. 6, a. "Ibid. b. 



