326 ORTHOPTERA 



flexed exterior area make them look more like the wings of 

 Gryllidae. This species has no ocelli, and is said to be destitute 

 of ears. The inflated condition of the anterior and middle tibiae 

 suggest that it possesses auditory structures, though there appears 

 to be no external opening for them. This Insect is found in India, 

 where it is said to be common on the banks of sandy rivers, 

 living there in burrows of the depth of three feet. Yery little 

 is known, however, as to this curious Insect. It has recently 

 been reported ^ as being injurious to tobacco and other crops on 

 high ground in Durbungha by cutting off their roots. The local 

 name for the Insect is hlieriua. We should think it somewhat 

 doubtful whether this refers really to S. monstrosus. 



Fig. 202. Anostostoma australasiae, male. Australia. 



In number of species the Locustidae are perhaps scarcely 

 inferior to the Acridiidae, and in variety of form they surpass 

 this latter family. Many of the most gigantic forms are apterous, 

 and these very often have a repellant aspect. The genus Anosto- 

 stoma is remarkable for its large head. Allied to it is Deinacrida 

 heteracantha, the " Weta-punga " of the New Zealand natives, an 

 Insect formerly abundant in the forests north of Auckland, but 

 of late years become extremely rare. The head and body of 

 this Insect may measure more than 2^ inches in length, and 

 when the antennae and legs are stretched out the total length 

 may be 14 or 15 inches. Although bulky and absolutely wing- 

 less, yet, as Buller informs us,^ it climbs with agility, and is 

 sometimes found on the topmost branches of lofty trees. When 

 disturbed it produces a clicking, accompanied by a slow movement 



1 Indian Ihts. Notes, ii. 1893, p. 172. ^ Zoologist, 1S67, p. 489. 



