142 



ORTHOPTERA. 



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 incomplete, the larva 

 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 



FIG. 463. LARVA AND PI T PA OF GREAT GREEX GRASSHOPPER. 



the tropics. All the known Orthoptera are terrestrial, both in 

 their perfect and two previous states. Some are purely carni- 

 vorous, and others are adapted to a mixed diet, the Cock- 

 roaches, for example, being capable of feeding on almost any 

 kind of organised matter ; but the greater number feed upon 

 plants. Hence from their large size, and the enormous quantity 

 which each individual can devour, they are among the most 

 destructive of all the insect tribes, when they appear in large 

 numbers. This is particularly the case with the Locusts 





