THE COMMON RED-LEGGED LOCUST 



11 



The Muscular System. All the muscles of the body are 

 supplied with microscopic nerves. The muscles are attached 

 to the hard covering of the body, and when stimulated by 

 the nervous system they contract, thus moving the part to 

 which they are attached. Though delicate in appearance the 

 muscles are in reality very strong, as may be understood 

 when the activity of the insect is considered. 



The Reproductive System. As in most other animals, the 

 union of two dissimilar elements is necessary for the produc- 

 tion of a new locust. These elements are the very small, 

 active sperm-cells produced by the male, and the larger, pas- 

 sive egg-cell produced by the female. On the union of these 

 two cells the egg-cell is said to be fertilized and the growth 

 of a new individual is begun. Occupying a considerable part 

 of the posterior portion of the abdomen of the female are the 

 ovaries (Fig. 3, 30, 31), two sets of delicate tubular organs in 

 which the egg-cells are developed. These are connected with 

 the surface by the egg-tube, or oviduct (Fig. 3, 32). In the 

 male the sperm-cells are secreted in glands called spermaries, 



FIG. 4. Rocky Mountain Locust Laying Eggs. About natural size. 

 (After Riley) 



A, B, female laying eggs ; C, diagram showing the arrangement of eggs in the hole ; 

 JJ, mass of eggs removed from hole and part of covering taken away ; E, few 

 eggs separated 



