ORTHOPTERA. — ACHETID^. 441 



defence of the internal lobe), and bi-articulated, a distinct articu- 

 lation (overlooked by Curtis, B. E. pi. 293. f. 4.), existing at the base 

 of the galea ; the maxillary palpi are 5-jointed, in the house cricket 

 (^jig. 54. 4.) as well as the raole-cricket, &c. ; although Curtis describes 

 them as only 4-jointed in the former species. The mentum is leathery, 

 and broadest in front ; the labium (^fig. 54. 5.) is quadri-lobed, the 

 two middle lobes being very slender, and the two external ones broader 

 and pilose, articulated both at and near the base : Mr. Curtis represents 

 them as exarticulated in the mole-cricket. Besides these, the lingua is 

 developed, forming " the large, hollow, fleshy appendage " to the la- 

 bium of Acheta, and the cordate fleshy lobe terminating the labium 

 of the mole-cricket, described by Curtis {fig- 54. 2., head of cricket, 

 X indicating the rudimental ocelli). The abdomen is terminated by 

 two long pilose setaj, gradually attenuated to the tip, and inarticulate 

 (^jig- 54. 1. cc. 9 and^^. 54. ll., extremity of body of the male) ; and 

 the ovipositor of the female is long and slender, occasionally equalling 

 the entire body in length, the tip being slightly thickened and ser- 

 rated ; the anterior tibite have a remarkable talc-like spot near the 

 base ; the tarsi are composed of only three joints in the majority of 

 this species: but a more peculiar characteristic of the group, de- 

 pendent upon their habits, appears to have been overlooked, but 

 by which they are well distinguished from the grasshoppers 

 with long antennae, to some of which they are very nearly allied. 

 The last-mentioned insects are generally found upon plants ; and 

 it is essential for them that their feet should be so organised 

 as to enable them to retain their hold upon the stems or leaves 

 of the vegetables which they frequent : their tarsi are accordingly 

 broad, and the soles fleshy ; but in the Achetida;, which are essen- 

 tially ground insects, and which run with the greatest agility, fleshy 

 soles to the tarsi would be useless ; these parts are, therefore, slender 

 and simple on the underside, the joints of the tarsi in some of 

 the species being spined, thus assisting with the strong ti'.jial spurs 

 in running {fig. 54. ic, posterior tarsus, underside *). The caudal 

 setae {^fig. 54. ll.) are evidently very sensible, and serve, probably, 

 to give the animal notice of the approach of any annoyance from 

 behind; hence Dr. Kidd terms them caudal antennae in the mole- 

 cricket (^fig. 54. 14.). When the insect expands its upper wings, they 



* I find that Mr. Patterson lias noticed this distinction between the feet of these 

 two families in his interesting little work on the Shakspcarcan insects. 



