148 Miscellaneous. 



In order to acquire a sufHciently exact knowledge of tho funda- 

 mental characters of the submaxillary and of the variations which 

 it may present, it is indispensable to multiply the objects of inves- 

 tigation and to select them with care, not limiting observations to 

 a few common species which have been almost exclusively studied. 



OUgotoma Saundersii may be taken as a starting-point for this 

 series of analytical and comparative investigations. Its submaxillary 

 in fact is very simple ; it has the appearance of a small piece trans- 

 versely developed and rising slight!}^ on its internal surface, where 

 a prominence, which will soon become more strongly marked in 

 other types, is sketched out. 



In (Edipoda cinemscens the form is already considerably modified, 

 chiefly as regards the configuration of its lower surface. This is not 

 only destined to limit the submaxillary towards its base, but it has 

 also to provide for the articulation of the maxilla considered as a 

 whole ; the ginglymus, scarcely represented in Olujotoma by slight 

 sinuosities, here gives rise to the formation of deep cavities which 

 impress a peculiar physiognomy upon this region of the submaxillary. 

 Entomologists have long since indicated the genus (Edijioda as one 

 of those in which the maxilla is most firmly articulated with the 

 head. It will be seen that this remark fully agrees with the results 

 of anatomical analysis. 



In Decticus verrucivorus the general aspect undergoes further 

 changes, the origin of which must be sought in the inner and outer 

 surfaces, but no longer on the basal surface. Each of the lateral 

 surfaces commences with an inferior tuberosity ; then comes an 

 excavated middle part, surmounted by an upper portion, which 

 is very prominent, especially at the outer surface. From this 

 results a most singular form, which can only be correctly interpreted 

 when we examine the submaxillary isolated and freed from the 

 surrounding parts. 



This dissection, always delicate, is particularly difficult in Gn/lJus 

 domesticus, the submaxillary of which presents an appearance which, 

 more than in the preceding types, justifies the name selected by 

 Kirby and Spence ; the depressions and articular facets of the iafe- 

 rior and superior surfaces, the orientation of the piece and its rela- 

 tions, all concur here to form a regular hinge. 



On the other hand, the articulation of the maxiUa is very feebly 

 constructed in Phasma japetus, in which several of the characters 

 proper to Gryllus domesticus are effaced. This tendency is still more 

 strongly marked in Mantis religiosa ; the submaxillary, chiefly 

 developed vertically, becomes in that species almost abnormal, and 

 in its general conformation greatly resembles some maxiUaries, 



In the great green grasshopper (Locusta viridissima) it better 

 displays the double part assigned to it, of securing the articulation 

 of the maxilla and forming for it a sufficiently solid base to support 

 the whole organ, and thus to second or even replace the maxillary. 

 Thus the inferior surface is deeply excavated, while the transverse 

 dimensions become more appreciable. 



The relative proportions of the different parts of the submaxillary 



