THE MOLE CRICKET. 481 



these cases may be found under planks or behind the skirting boards where these in- 

 sects love to conceal themselves. Along one of the edges of the capsule there is a slil 

 which corresponds with the opening of the puff, and which is strengthened like that parl 

 of the pastry by a thickened margin. The edges of the slit are toothed, and it is saic 

 that each tooth corresponds with an egg. When the young are hatched, they pour out z 

 fluid which has theeffect of dissolving the cement which holds the edges together, the 

 newly-hatched Cockroaches push themselves through the aperture, which opens like c 

 valve, and closes again after their exit, so that the empty capsule appears to be perfect!) 

 entire. 



The shape of the young much resembles that of the perfect insect, except that it 

 neither sex are the wings in existence. In the pupal stage the resemblance is preserved 

 the creature is active, and exhibits the rudimentary wings. The reader may often have 

 seen white, brown, and mottled Cockroaches. These are the insects that have latelj 

 changed their skins ; and if one of these creatures be taken, it will be found that in 

 day or two it will attain the same reddish brown color as its companions. 



The Cockroach is a very active insect, running both backwards and forwards \\iil 

 astonishing speed, and is furnished at the extremity of the abdomen with two short pro 

 jections resembling miniature antennas, and popularly regarded as such. 



Turning to the engraving on page 479, the reader will observe in the centre of the 

 illustration a figure of a short, stumpy insect with large hind legs. This is the FIELI 

 CRICKET, a noisy creature, inhabiting the sides of hedges and old walls, and making 

 country lanes vocal with its curious cry, if such a word can be applied to a sound producec 

 by friction. The Field Cricket lives in burrows, made at the foot of hedges or walls 

 and sits at their mouth to sing. It is, however, a very timid creature, and on hearing 

 or perchance feeling, an approaching footstep, it immediately retreats to the deepes 

 recesses of the burrow, where it waits until it imagines the danger to have gone by. 



Despite of its timidity, however, it seems to be combative in no slight degree, and if ; 

 blade of grass or straw be pushed into its hole, it will seize the intruding substance s< 

 firmly that it can be drawn out of the burrow before it will loosen its hold. The male 

 are especially warlike, and if two. specimens be confined in the same box, they will figh 

 until one is killed. The vanquished foe is then eaten by the victor. In White' 

 " Natural History of Selborne " there is a careful and interesting description of tlv 

 Field Cricket and its habits. 



The well-known HOUSE CRICKET ^Acheta domestica} is a near relation of the above 

 mentioned species, and is so familiar as to need no description. 



ON the same illustration, and occupying the left hand, is one of the oddest looking o 

 the British insects, the MOLE CRICKET, so called on account of its burrowing habits an< 

 altogether mole-like aspect. This insect is represented of the natural size, and, as ma; 

 be seen, attains considerable dimensions. Those who like to give the needful timi 

 and trouble will find the internal anatomy of the Mole Cricket to be highly developed 

 remarkably interesting, and easily dissected. 



Like those of the mole, the fore-limbs of the Mole Cricket are of enormous comparativ 

 size, and turned outwards at just the same angle from the body. All the legs are strong 

 but the middle and hinder pair appear quite weak and insignificant when compare* 

 with the gigantic developments of the front pair. This insect is rather local, but is f oun< 

 in many parts of England, where it is known by sundry popular titles, Croaker bein< 

 the name most in vogue near Oxford, where it is found in tolerable plenty. 



The wings of the Mole Cricket are large and handsome ; and when folded, thei 

 hardened outer edges project along the back like two curved spines. Some person 

 have thought that this insect is the cause of the well-known phenomenon called th' 

 Will of the Wisp, or Jack o' Lantern, because in a locality where one of these deceptiv 

 lights was fluttering after its uncertain wont, a Mole Cricket was captured on the wing 



The food of the Mole Cricket is chiefly of a vegetable nature ; but the insect will ea 



animal food when offered, having been known to feed upon raw beef with great zest 



Like the field cricket it is very combative, and when it has vanquished its foe is sure t< 



eat him. As may be imagined from the tasks which it performs in driving burrow 



3* 



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