ENTOMOLOGICAL CABINET. 



ACRIDA VIRIDISSIMA. Kirby. 



Conocephalus viridissimus. Leach. Samou. 



Gryllus viridissimus. Linne. 



Green : head somewhat acuminated and of a light 

 green : eyes large and prominent : antennae setace- 

 ous and as long as the body : thorax deflexed, con- 

 vex and rounded behind : elytra green and in the 

 male with a transparent membranaceous ocellus in 

 the right elytron near the base, and an opaque one 

 on the left : wings large and transparent : body 

 green : legs, the anterior and middle of moderate 

 length, the hinder twice the length of the body and 

 adapted for leaping : the vertex of the head, the mid- 

 dle of the thorax and the suture of the elytra of a 

 pale reddish brown. 



Length of the body 1 inch 4 lines, expansion of 

 the wings 2f inches. 



Inhabits hedges in meadows and marshy places. 



This insect is the largest species of the Gryllidce 

 that is found in this country — it is not uncommon, 

 and fortunately not too common. It is an interesting 

 insect from its form and beauty, and to the lover of 

 fields and a retired life an amusing animal, from the 

 loud chirping that it is capable of makingj in the 

 calm and quiet months of August and September. 



We have often been diverted during our excursions 

 in the marshes of Essex, when the swallows have 

 been too high to hear their " twit twit," and not a 

 bush to give shelter to a sparrow, when slowly 

 walking to be suddenly aroused by the loud chirp- 

 ing of this insect. It requires caution and gentle 

 movement to watch their manoeuvres. When we 

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