THE STUDY OF INSECTS 173 



the frame by nailing pieces of board to the top of the up- 

 rights. Cover the sides with wire screening, or mosquito 

 netting, and cover the top with a piece of board or panes of 

 glass. 



A simple cage for some insects may be made from an 

 ordinary pasteboard shoe box. Cut rectangular pieces 

 out of the top and bottom of the box and replace these 

 with wire screening or mosquito netting. Tie a string 

 around the box to keep the lid on, stand it up on one side, 

 and you may watch the movements of grasshoppers, 

 katydids, etc. The grasshopper serves well as a typical 

 study. 



Grasshoppers 



The common short-horned grasshoppers of meadow 

 and roadside are good insects to begin with for the purpose 

 of getting the children acquainted with characteristics 

 common to all insects. 



Problem. — Where do these grasshoppers live and how 

 do they move about? 



Have the children notice the different places in which 

 they see these insects. Watch to see just how the insects 

 move out of the way. This may be left for reports from 

 individual observation, or it may be observed by the class 

 together in a field trip. It will not be difficult for the 

 children to see that the locomotion is a combination of 

 flight and hop. Where do they alight? Do they make 

 any effort to hide ? How does their color help to conceal 

 them? 



Bring a few into the schoolroom. How do they move 

 about in the terrarium or cage ? How many legs have they ? 



