CRICKETS AND EARWIGS 151 



is a most marvellous and exquisite structure, and 

 deservedly a great favourite with microscopists. As 

 shown in the figure, it is pressed out of place. On 

 opening the mouth, it will be seen on the floor, rising 

 into a grooved, hollow, fleshy eminence. When flat- 

 tened out, it is found to be a kidney-shaped, leaf-like 

 expansion, strengthened throughout by radiating fibres 

 of chitinous material, which, when highly magnified, 

 show a beautiful mosaic structure. Kitchen refuse of 

 various kinds constitutes the food of these creatures, 

 and a good deal of moisture as well seems necessary for 

 their well-being. No doubt this curious tongue helps 

 them in drinking. They have been accused of gnawing 

 holes in stockings hung before the fire to dry, in order 

 to satisfy their cravings for moisture. Hence, also, it 

 is not an infrequent experience to find them drowned in 

 pans or jugs of liquid. 



The house cricket is more or less of a pale brown 

 colour throughout, and, unlike the cockroach, it is fully 

 winged in both sexes, and, therefore, has no need of 

 man's agency to supplement its powers of locomotion. 

 It flies with an undulatory motion, making long rising 

 curves in the air, and dropping at regular intervals. 

 The wings are extremely beautiful objects ; in fact, the 

 house cricket contains so many exquisite and delicate 

 structures, that any one who has a few hours to spare, 

 and can devote them, with a good microscope, to the 

 dissection of the insect, will find ample material for 

 interesting study and observation. There are two pairs 

 of wings, the upper pair being more or less horny, and 

 exceedingly different in males and females; and the 

 under pair thin and membranous, and similar in both 

 sexes. When closed, the right upper wing partly over- 

 laps the left, and the under wings project in the form of 



