GRASSHOPPERS AND LOCUSTS. 13 



grasshoppers, as separate from that of locusts, consists in the 

 length of their antennae, which are always as long, often longer 

 than the body, while those of the Locustidce are generally 

 shorter by one-half. In grasshoppers, and not in locusts, is 

 also seen, sometimes, a sharp, sword-shaped instrument, pro- 

 jecting upwards from the hinder part of the body. This 

 appendage, peculiar to the female insect, is her tool for open- 

 ing the earth and depositing her eggs within it; hence the 

 French appellation of "sauterelles d sabre." 



One of the largest and most conspicuous, both for size and 

 song, of our native grasshoppers, is the " Large Green ;"* with 

 rather a sharp head, large prominent eyes, ample wings, and 

 slender antennae as long as the body. This noble of his tribe 

 is not an unfrequent resorter to hedges and marshy places; 

 and, though his green armour may easily escape observation, 

 his loud chirping can hardly fail to attract notice, especially 

 amidst the general silence of the feathered choir, in the song- 

 less months of August and September. Favoured, however, 

 by this pervading stillness, together with the long antennal 

 ears wherewith, nature has furnished him, he catches, pre- 

 sently, the sound of an approaching footfall, and ceases the 

 music which might betray the secret of his lurking-place. 



The above grandee of grasshoppers, as well as his more 

 insignificant brethren, is in the frequent habit of filling up 

 idle pauses between his music and his meals by a sort of seem- 



* Acrida viridissima. Vignette to ' Insect Minstrelsy.' 



