692 



The Living Animals of the World 



Photo by L. H. Joutel] [New York. 



LONG-HORNED GRASSHOPPER. 



This insect belongs to the same family as the well-known British species. The 

 specimen from which this photograph was taken had unfortunately (as is often the 

 case) broken antenna; ; they should be twice as long as the wings. 



thrown on the ground overnight, and a 

 board laid over it, one or two mole-crickets 

 are likely to be found underneath in the 

 morning. The HOUSE-CRICKET resembles this 

 insect in colour, but is not much more than 

 half an inch long, and there is nothing re- 

 markable in the structure of its legs. It is 

 almost the only noisy insect found in English 

 houses, and is very similar to the common 

 cockroach in its habits, although free from 

 the disagreeable smell which adds to the 

 disgust the latter insect often inspires. The 

 third species, the FIELD-CRICKET, is a smooth 

 black insect, larger and stouter than the 

 house-cricket. It constructs burrows in grassy 

 places, but is not now a very common species 

 in England. In the last two species, and 

 many others, there is a bare space on one 

 of the wing-cases of the male, crossed by 

 ribs in a manner varying according to 

 the species, which helps to produce the 

 loud chirping for which these insects are 

 remarkable. 



The LONG-HORNED GRASSHOPPERS, which 

 form the next family, are distinguished by 

 having four joints to their feet, a long ovi- 

 positor in the female, and very long, slender 

 antennae. The commonest species inhabiting 

 England, and one of the largest grass- 

 hoppers, is the GREAT GREEN GRASSHOPPER, 

 which is found leaping about among long 



With the CRICKETS we commence 

 the last three families of the group, 

 which are distinguished from the 

 others by their power of leaping. 

 The hind legs are very long, with 

 very thick thighs, and generally a 

 double row of strong teeth or spines 

 on the shanks. The feet are generally 

 three-jointed, and there is usually a 

 long ovipositor in the females. There 

 are very few true crickets in Eng- 

 land, but three of these are very con- 

 spicuous species. The first is the 

 MOLE-CRICKET, a large light brown 

 insect nearly 2 inches long, with 

 broad, short front legs rather like 

 those of a mole, which it uses in a 

 similar way. Though common and 

 destructive in fields and gardens, it 

 is not often seen ; but if water be 



" Photo by J. Edicards] [Colesborne. 



CAPE GRASSHOPPER (FEMALE). 



This insect, which is remarkable for the inflated bladder-like appear- 

 ance of the male, is an object of superstition among the Boers. Colour,, 

 bright apple-green with white stripes. 



