IGS [June, 



(the " harpa ") is enclosed between the two deflected parts of the vena plicata and 

 the straight running vena dividens, and this is crossed by some wavy oblique veins 

 (" veiiies obliques," Sauss.), the number of which is of systematic iinportance. Just 

 posterior to the stigma is seen a more or less circular cell {tympanum or speculum, 

 Br., niiroir, Sauss.), formed by branches of the vena plicata and branches from the 

 anal knot {noeiid anal, Sauss), and this may be crossed by one or two small veins. 

 Beyond this, at the apex itself, is found the remains of the normal reticulation 

 of the elytron. (N.B. — In using the terms anterior, posterior, &c., the elytron is 

 supposed to be stretched out at a right angle to the body). 



Both elytra are constructed alike, and usually lie the right upon the left ; they 

 may be fully developed, or truncate {Nemobius). The wings give no important 

 characters, and, in a state of rest, are generally carried folded up several times, with 

 their apices projecting beyond the elytra ; but sometimes they are shorter than the 

 elytra {Or. campestris) or even absent altogether {Nemobius). 



The legs are formed much as in the Locustidce, the posterior pair being used 

 for jumping; while the anterior and middle pairs are as usual simply walking legs, 

 with the exception of the genus Gryllotalpa, in which the anterior pair are modified 

 into digging organs. The posterior femora ai'e either slender and narrowing con- 

 siderably towards the knee, as in (Ecanthus, or robust, dilated towards the base, and 

 wide and compressed before the knee, as in the other genera. The anterior tibiae 

 are without the longitudinal sulcus which is present in most of the LocustidcB. The 

 external auditory foramen (tympanum) is of two forms : — 1, equal on both sides 

 {QLcanthus) ; 2, large on the outer (posterior) and small on the inner side {Gryltus, 

 &c.) ; but in a continental genus {Gryllodes, Sauss.) it is absent altogether on the 

 inner side. There are normally four apical spines on the anterior tibiae, but these 

 are not always present. In Nemobius and Gryllus the upper one on the posterior 

 (outer) side is wanting; and though the four are found in Gryllotalpa, they are, 

 together with the tibia and tarsus, much altered in appearance. In this genus the 

 tibia is enlarged and compressed, convex on the outer and flat on the inner side ; and 

 the four apical spines are placed in a row, with their apices curved outwards and 

 backwards ; the tarsus is also much modified, the first and second joints are external 

 and shovel-shaped, and the distal joint bears the usual pair of claws. 



The posterior tibiae bear spines along the shank, usually on both margins of the 

 upper-side, sometimes only on the inner margins {Gryllotalpa), and the number of 

 these slioidd be noticed: they may be (1) many, as in (Ecanthus ; or (2) numbering 

 four to six, as in the other genera; and these may be (a) fixed {Gryllus, &c.), {b) 

 articulated {Nemobius), or (c) modified into a swinnning organ {Tridactylus, not 

 British). The apical spines must also be noticed, as llu'v give several good charac- 

 ters by tiieir varying size and position ; they are beset with fine hairs. 



The tarsi are 3-jointed, the first joint is long, the second very short, and the 

 third bears the usual claws, which have no uniiing membrane. The structure of the 

 upper surface may be smooth and round, furrowed, or serrated. 



The end of the abdomen and genital apparatus are not of much systematic im- 

 portance, as in some of the other families. All the genera, except Gryllotalpa, 

 possess an exserted ovipositor. The J subgenital lamina bears no styles. 



