102 ORTHOPTERA. 



distinguish them. The appearance of the leaf insects whilst waiting for their 

 prey is very singular. They remain for hours together stationary in the attitude 

 represented in the annexed figure, with their fore legs held up together like a 

 pair of arms, prepared to seize any insect that may come within their reach. 

 Hence they have obtained a sort of sacred character amongst the credulous 

 inhabitants of the countries in which they are found, who, from a superstitious 

 notion that while in that attitude they are engaged in prayer, have given them 

 such names as Prega Diou, Prie Dieu, &c. These creatures are very voracious. 

 No sooner does an insect come near them than, like a cat approaching a mouse, 

 the mantis moves imperceptibly along, and steals towards its victim, fearful 

 of putting it to flight. When sufficiently close, the fore leg is extended to its 

 full length, and the fly is seized and crushed by the numerous spines with 

 which its edges are armed. 



The Leaping Orthoptera (Saltatorid) are at once recogniz- 

 able by the great size and strength of their hind legs, a structure 

 whereby they are enabled to perform prodigious leaps. Of their 

 general form we have a familiar example in the House-Cricket, 

 everywhere to be met with. 



The House-Cricket (Gryllus domesticus) frequents the same situations, 

 is active at the same season, feeds on the same substances, and has, in many 

 respects, the same habits as the cockroach. Its ringing " crink" proceeding 

 from the fireplace is considered a cheerful sound, and probably, from its asso- 

 ciation with genial warmth and plenty, is often enumerated among the 

 amenities of the fireside. 



The shrill sound above alluded to is produced only by the male rubbing its 

 wings, which are peculiarly constructed, one against the other. 



The Grasshoppers (Gryllus campcstris) make use of their hind legs in 

 producing their " crink." The thigh is furnished with a number of transverse, 

 overlapping, angular plates, and the shank carries a series of short horny 

 points upon each side. The insect, when it crinks, brings the shank up to the 

 thigh, and rubs both to and fro against the wing-sheaths, doing this by turns 

 with the right and left legs, which causes the regular break in the sound. 



The Locusts (Gryllus locusta) belong to the same family as the cricket 

 and grasshopper, and, considered individually, are quite as harmless; but 

 coming, as they frequently do in Eastern countries, in hosts, which darken 

 the air and cover the surface of the earth, are amongst the most dreadful 

 scourges of the human race. 



Dr. Shaw, who has given us an account of the swarms which he saw in 

 Barbary, tells us that they first appeared about the end of March, and in- 

 creased into vast numbers in April, but returned into the extensive plains in 

 May to deposit their eggs. The larvag derived from these eggs made their ap- 

 pearance in June, and were formed into compact bodies, each covering about 

 a square furlong of ground : they marched onward in phalanx, surmount- 

 ing every obstacle in their way, entering houses and chambers, and desolating 

 the gardens, undeterred by the slaughter made amongst the foremost. In 

 this manner horde succeeded horde for days together. In the course of about 

 ~a month they arrived at their full growth, cast their pupa or nymph-skin, 

 and as soon as their wings were dry and expanded, mounted into the air. 

 Locusts are eaten in many places. They are mentioned as among the 

 clean meats in Lev. xi. 22. In the plain of Bushire they are collected, dried, 



