102 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. 



being much too busy, to discuss details individually with intending 

 tourists, although if any one cares to formulate definite questions on a 

 reply post-card, I will do my best with them. 



®RTHOPTERA. 



On the Abbreviation of Organs of Flight in Orthoptera. 



V,y MALCOLM BUliK, F.Z.S., F.E.S. 



PocJisvia is an example of a genus practically losing the power of 

 flight, and the Kiildpjyincrldae of a family that has lost this power. 

 Other genera which have totally lost the use of the wings for flight are 

 Anisiilabis, Ajitcriif/ida, CJtcUditra, in the Forfu-idaria ; Aphlcbia, and 

 nil the rcri-yi/iacridai in the Blattodea : all the Eremlapldlidae in the 

 Mantodca : the Loncluididac, liacuncuUdae, Clttuinnidac, CladonidrjiJiidae, 

 Anishiorjdiidac, and the Bac'dUdac in the J^hastiiodea : C/iri/suchraon, 

 (ili/jdiaxtts, Xocarodcs, Orncnidcs, KtinapiHs, I'lati/p/ii/iiia, (hiunatolaitipis, 

 Sitalccs, Mesfonbria, and other Acr'uUidae : Thcridcn and the allied 

 genera ; Proscopidae in the Aeridiodca : the ( 'alUmenidae, Orjiliania, 

 PdCciliiiKm, Barbitistcs, I.sop/n/a, Odontiira, Lcptuphijca, Ainp/iiestris, 

 ( hicoiKitiis, Aiialota, Pterolepis, Il/iacadeifi, T/ti/reonotiis, Ant/ia-riux, 

 Ctcnodectirus, Anteranteft, Pachytrarhelns, Psorodimoinx, Sai/a. Prof/lo- 

 jiliilitK, Dnliiltopoda, AnostosUniia, Hemideina, and many others in the 

 Locit^todea : the Trujonidndac, (i-ri/llodi's, Mijnnecdph'didcu', Moi/oplistidac, 

 in the (Tri/llodca. These names might be increased to an enormous 

 number, but it will be seen from the number ending with a patronymic 

 termination that a very considerable amount of sub-families are incapable 

 of flight. 



The loss of the power of flight is always attended Avith some com- 

 pensation. In all earwigs the legs are developed for running, and they 

 are all rapid creatures. Cockroaches are but feeble flyers at the best, 

 but they are very nimble on their feet. The Mantodca, with at least 

 one remarkable exception, are not active insects. They use their wings 

 little, and can walk but slowly, but their fore-legs are so wonderfully 

 developed that it is to their advantage to sit quietly, to allow the un- 

 suspecting fly to come within range of their formidable front legs. 

 The PhasiiKidea are sluggish creatures, and usually spend their time 

 sitting quite still, or crawling very slowly. By this they do not betray 

 by hasty movement the concealment which they gain by their curious 

 colours and forms. Many of the flightless Acridiodea are difficult to 

 find in their haunts, while nearly all possess a remarkable development 

 of the hind legs which enables them to escape their prey by leaping. 

 The LocHstodea, again, are protected by their colour and their adapta- 

 tion to their environment, or else by their activity. Many species are 

 very difficult to capture when they hide in thick brambles and shrubs, 

 in which wings would be useless or in the way, but where their power- 

 ful hind legs enable them to escape with rapidity. The crickets, which 

 usually live in holes, tunnels, and burrows, have little use for wings to 

 fly, except for migration. Gilbert White records an invasion of (ir;/Uiis 

 ddnicstioi^ to a house, which they entered from all quarters, flying with 

 an undulating flight, like that of some of our small birds. The 

 Oi'cantlddae are the only crickets which inhabit flowers and shrubs. 

 They may be often taken sitting on tall flowers and vines, but they 



