THE HOUSE-CRICKET 187 



from the sitting position, but with a violent jerk, which 

 throws it into the air. The flexion is extreme, and the 

 moment before the leap the joints lie parallel to one another, 

 as is indicated by the fact that the thigh (femur) is grooved 



FIG. 39. Female house-cricket. The antennae, 

 which are as long as the body, including the ovi- 

 positor or egg-laying forceps, are cut short. 



along about two-thirds of its length, so that the next 

 joint (tibia) can be received into it. Lest the foot should 

 slip, and the effect of the upward thrust be lost thereby, 

 the lower end of the tibia is armed with stiff spines, which 

 stick into the ground. 



