ORTHOPTERA. 107 



extend backward so far. The small mesothorax and 

 larger metathorax (concealed in the drawing by the 

 wings) are loosely connected. In the larval cricket the 

 dorsal portions of these thoracic rings resemble in color 

 and simplicity of structure the succeeding abdominal 

 rings. When the wings begin to be developed, however, 

 the different parts of the terga become more apparent, 

 and the color of the metathorax is Hghter. The abdo- 

 men has no longitudinal fold but a soft, fleshy area or 

 pleural zone in which the spiracles are distinctly seen. 

 When breathing, this pleural zone is depressed or re- 

 sumes its original condition as the terga and sterna 

 approach or recede alternately. 



The eyes are small and widely separated in both 

 sexes. Here again the antennae are extremely long. 

 The biting mouth parts are strong. The leaping-legs 

 are more slender than the locust's, and the feet are 

 without a pulvillus. The wing-covers are horny and 

 bent downward against the sides of the body. The 

 "chirp" of the male is produced by rubbing the 

 veins in the middle of one wing-cover upon those of 

 the other. The second pair of wings are light-colored, 

 and comparatively useless as flying-organs, although 

 sometimes nearly twice as long as the first pair.^ 



The abdomen bears at its extremity a long oviposi- 

 tor (PI. IV., Fig. 58, os') which consists, apparently, of 

 two pieces. Each of these pieces, however, is made 

 of two parts united so as to form a canal. The union 



1 In a smaller cricket, a species of Nemobius, which has 

 habits similar to those of Gryllus, the wings are entirely want- 

 ing, and flight is impossible. 



