6 THE EICE GRASSHOPPER 



angles to the body (see Plate II, Figs. 1 and 2). To the 

 lower portion of the thorax, are attached the three pairs 

 of jointed legs which are to be found in all insects. In the 

 case of grasshoppers, the first two pairs of legs are com- 

 paratively slight, while the posterior pair are greatly 

 enlarged and very strong. It is by means of this posterior 

 pair that the insect is able to jump or hop so efficiently. 



The abdomen, which consists of a series of distinct 

 segments or rings, possesses few features that it is neces- 

 sary to note. The posterior end, however, bears certain 

 structures which allow us readil}^ to distinguish whether 

 the particular individual which we are examining is male 

 or female. In the case of the male, we find a single more 

 or less scoop-like plate, in the hollow of which are to be 

 found the organs of copulation. In the female, we find 

 instead an upper and a lower pair of horny valves or dig- 

 gers (ovipositors) which are capable of being spread apart 

 and drawn together. These form the apparatus by means 

 of which the female is able to dig the hole in the ground in 

 which she deposits her eggs. In both male andfeiuale, we 

 find above, at the posterior end, a pair of short horn-like 

 processes which may be called the posterior feelers (anal 

 cerci). Along each side of the body, on both abdomen and 

 thorax, is a series of small openings or breathing-pores 

 (stigmata) through which the animal breathes. 



It must be further noted that, in the case of grass- 

 hoppers, the male is usually smaller and slenderer than the 

 female and this is the case also with the insect under study 

 (see Plate II, Figs. 1 and '2). 



The Rice Grasshopper may be quite easily recognised 

 if the accompanying coloured figures (Plate I) are consulted. 

 As will be seen there, the adult insect is green or yellow- 

 ish green in color. The prothorax is marked above and 

 laterally w^ith four somewhat irregular transverse brown 

 or black lines. The lower surface of the insect is brown- 

 ish black while the middle division (tibia) of the posterior 

 leg is blue. These features should be sufficient to make 

 the insect readilv recoonizable. 



GENERAL LIFE HISTORY. 



liike most insects and all grasshoppers, the Eice 

 Grasshopper hatches out from an egg. The eggs are laid 



