THE GRASSHOPPER KIND. 21 



than the two hinder legs. The insect's body also 

 is lengthened during this operation, and it be- 

 comes much more beautiful than before. 



These insects are generally vocal in the midst 

 <of summer ; and they are heard at sun-setting 

 much louder than during the heats of the day. 

 They are fed upon grass ; and, if their belly be 

 pressed, they will b_e seen to return the juices of 

 the plants they have last fed upon. Though un- 

 willing to fly, and slow in flight, particularly 

 when the weather is moist or cool, they are 

 sometimes seen to fly to considerable distances. 

 If they are caught by one of the hinder legs, 

 they quickly disengage themselves from it, and 

 leave the leg behind them. This, however, does 

 not grow again, as with crabs or spiders ; for, as 

 they are animals but of a single year's continu- 

 ance, they have not sufficient time for repairing 

 those accidental misfortunes. The loss of their 

 leg also prevents them from flying; for, being 

 unable to lift themselves in the air, they have 

 not room upon the ground for the proper expan- 

 sion of their wings. If they be handled roughly, 

 they will bite very fiercely ; and when they fly, 

 they make a noise with their wings. They gene- 

 rally keep in the plain, where the grass is luxu- 

 riant, .and the ground rich and fertile ; there 

 they deposit their eggs, particularly in those 

 cracks which are formed by the heat of the sun. 



Such are the habits and nature of those little 

 vocal insects, that swarm in our meadows, and 

 enliven the landscape. The larger kinds only 

 differ from them in size, in rapidity of flight, and 



