198 



THE HARMONIES OF NATURE. 



Gryliotalpa vulgaris. 

 (Mole-cricket). 



feet divided into sharp and claw-shaped segments, evidently 

 belong to an animal made for burrowing in the earth ; while 



the enormous hind -legs of 

 the grasshopper point at 

 once, by their great length 

 and the robustness and 

 thickness of their thighs, to 

 the vast leaps which their 

 predaceous owner is capable 

 of executing. A flea is 

 known to clear at a single 

 jump a space equal to two 

 hundred times its own 

 length ; but this almost in- 

 credible feat is at once ex- 

 plained by the great size 

 and strength of its muscular 

 legs, the joints of which are, 

 moreover, so adapted that 

 it can fold them up one 



within another, and in leaping they all spring out with pro 

 digious force. 



How small and tiny are the feet of the indolent tortoise- 

 beetles, who, clinging to leaves, require no great agility of 



motion ; how long and well- 

 developed those of the nimble 

 Cicindelidse, whose life is spent 

 in the constant pursuit of prey ! 

 The racehorse and swiftest grey- 

 hound would be distanced by 

 many an insect runner, were the 

 size of the little creature but 

 equal to the strength and agility 

 of its limbs. 



Several insects execute prodigious feats in jumping by means 

 of other organs than their legs. Thus the maggot of a little 

 black fly (Tephritia putris\ common in our richest cheeses, 

 accomplishes its enormous leaps somewhat in the same manner 

 as salmon, by taking the tail in the mouth and then suddenly 



A.. 



a Tiger-beetle. 

 6 Tortoise-beetle. 



