137 



ORDER II. ORTHOPTERA. 



6G2. In many respects the Insects of this Order resemble 

 the Coleoptera ; and they are closely connected with that group 

 by the family FORFICULID^:, or Earwig tribe, which partake of 

 the characters of both. But they differ from the Beetles, in the 

 softer covering of their bodies ; in the partially membranous 

 character of the anterior pair of wings, which seem intermediate 

 between the horny elytra of Beetles and the membranous wings 

 of other insects, and which do not meet when closed along the 

 central line of the back ; and in the fan-like manner in which 

 the posterior wings are folded up beneath them, which is per- 

 mitted by the straight direction of their veins. They differ also 

 in their metamorphosis ; for, whilst that of the Beetles is com- 

 plete, that of the Orthoptera, is only partially so, the larva 



FIG. 362 LARVA AND PUPA OF GREAT ORBEN GRASSHOPPER. 



and pupa closely resembling the perfect insect in form, walking 

 and feeding in the same manner, and differing in little else, than 

 the absence of the wings and wing-covers, which are gradually 

 and visibly developed in the pupa. This Order comprises 

 numerous well-known insects, often of large size and splendid 

 colours, such as Grasshoppers, Locusts, and Walking-Leaves ; 

 as well as Cockroaches and Earwigs. Some of the largest of 

 known insects belong to it ; a few species attaining a length of 

 eight or nine inches, and an equal expansion of wings. Com- 

 paratively few of this Order are inhabitants of temperate regions ; 

 and it attains its greatest development, both as to the number 

 of species and individuals, their size, and their colour, between 



