424 INSECTA. 



posed of a greater number of joints. Several, besides their reticu- 

 lated eyes, have two or three ocelli. The inferior surface of the 

 first joints of the tarsi is frequently fleshy or membranous. Many 

 females are furnished with a true perforator formed of two blades, 

 frequently enclosed in a common envelope, by means of which they 

 deposit their eggs. The posterior extremity of the body, in most of 

 them, is provided with appendages. 



All the known Orthoptera, without exception, are terrestrial, 

 even in their two first states of existence. Some are carnivorous 

 or omniverous, but the greater number feed on living plants. 



We will divide the Orthoptera into two great families. 



In those which compose the first, all the legs are similar, and only 

 adapted for running, — they are the Cursoria or runners. In those 

 which constitute the second, the posterior pair of thighs are much 

 larger than the others, thereby enabling them to leap. Beside this, 

 the males produce a sharp or stridulous noise — they are the Salta- 

 toria or jumpers. 



FAMILY I. 



CURSORIA. 



In this family the posterior legs, as well as the others, are solely 

 adapted for running. Almost all these Insects have their elytra and 

 wings laid horizontally on the body; the females are destitute of a 

 corneous ovipositor. They form three genera: in the first or the 



FoKFicuLA, Lin. 



There are three joints in the tarsi; the wings are plaited like a fan, and 

 folded transversely under very short and crustaceous elytra with a straight 

 suture; the body is linear, with two large, squamous, mobile pieces, which 

 form a forceps at its posterior extremity. 



These Insects are very common in cool and damp places, frequently 

 collect in troops under stones and the bark of trees, are very injurious to 

 our cultivated fruits, devour even their dead congeners, and defend them- 

 selves with their pincers, which frequently vary in form, according to the 

 sex. It has been thought that they insinuate themselves into the ear, and 

 to this they owe their name of Ear-wigs. 



Blatta, Lin. 

 Coeftroae/tcs have five joints to all the tarsi. The wings are only plaited 



