THE GRASSHOPPER. 179 



,- ' - i 



; Cursory observations. 



first made an attempt to dig them out with a 

 spade, but without any great success; for either 

 the bottom of the hole was inaccessible, from 

 its terminating under a large stone, or else in 

 breaking up the ground the poor creature was 

 inadvertently squeezed to death. Out of one 

 thus bruised, a great number of eggs were taken, 

 which were Jong and narrow, of a yellow colour, 

 and covered with a very tough skin. More gen- 

 tle means were then used, and these proved suc- 

 cessful. A pliant stalk of grass, gently insinu- 

 ated into the caverns, will probe their windings 

 to the bottom, and bring but the inhabitant; and 

 thus the humane enquirer may gratify his curi- 

 osity without injuring the object of it. 



Though these insects are furnished with long 

 legs behind, and brawny thighs adapted for leap- 

 ing, yet, when driven from their holes, they 

 shew no activity, but crawl along in so lifeless a 

 manner as easily to be caught ; and though they 

 are provided with the curious apparatus of 

 wings, already described, yet they never exert 

 them, even when there seems to be the great- 

 est occasion. The Rev. Mr. White, however, 

 who endeavoured to transplant a colony of 

 these insects from his terrace to the garden, be- 

 lieves they made use of their wings, as they 

 soon after recovered their former habitations. 

 When taken into the hand, they never attempt 

 to defend themselves. Of such herbs as grow 

 about the mouths of their burrows, they eat in- 



' Y 2 



