282\ INSECTS. 



generally live a year, perhaps two, before they aflume a winged form. 

 After furrowing up the fand, it hides itfelf under it, horns and all. It 

 there fpins a thread, which being glutinous and humid, flicks to the little 

 particles of fand among which it is fpun ; and the infeft rolls up its web, 

 fand and all, into a ball, about half an inch in diameter, of which itfelf 

 is the center, and its apartment fufficiently fpacious for its motions, com- 

 pofed of filk only, of a fine pearl colour, extremely delicate and beautiful. 

 It feems externally a lump of fand ; and thus efcapes the fearch of birds, 

 &c. The infeft continues fhut up fix weeks or two months ; and gradu- 

 ally parts with its eyes, its feelers, its feet, and its (km ; all which are 

 thruft into a corner of the inner apartment, like a rag. It then appears 

 «lmoll in its winged flate, except that a thin fkin enwraps the wings, that 

 appears to be a liquor dried on their outfide. When its members have 

 acquired the necefTary confiflence and vigour, it breaks through its 

 cnclofure. For this purpofe it has two teeth, like thofe of grafshop- 

 pers, with which it eats through till it gets out. Its body, which is turn- 

 ed like a fcrew, is but a quarter of an inch ; but, when unfolded, be- 

 comes half an inch in length ; its wings, that feemed to occupy the fmal- 

 lefl fpace, in two minutes time become longer than the body. It be- 

 comes a large and beautiful fly of the libellula kind ; with a long, flen- 

 der, brown body ; fmall head, large bright eyes, long llender legs, and 

 four large tranfparent reticulated wings. The rcfl of its habits refemblc 

 that infeft whofe form it bears j except that, inftead of dropping its eggs 

 in the water, it depofits them in the fand. 



THE GRASSHOPPER, LOCUST, CICADA, CRICKET. 

 AND MOLE-CRICKET. 



r'p^HE Grasshopper, that breeds in every meadow, and chirps 

 J^ through the fummer, is well known to us ; its hiflory relates that 

 of the reft. Thrs animal is the colour of green leaves, except a line of 

 brown which flreaks the back, and two pale lines under the belly and be- 

 hind the legs. It may be divided into the head, the corflet, and the 

 belly. The head is oblong, regarding the earth, and bearing fome re- 

 fcmblance to that of a horfe. Its mouth is covered by a kind of round 



buckler 



