174 NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE 



How do the hind legs differ from the fore legs ? Can you 

 find anything on the feet to keep the hopper from slipping 

 when he alights ? Where are the wings you saw when the 

 insect was flying? Gently lift the outer wings and note 

 the inner ones folded like fans underneath. What do 

 you think is the use of these outer wings ? Are they any 

 stronger or firmer than the inner ones? 



Problem. — What and how do grasshoppers eat? 



Where did the children find the insects? Was there 

 any food there ? Place leaves of various kinds in the jars 

 with the hoppers. Do not have too many insects in one 

 jar. If you have them in a wire cage, place sprays of 

 grass, clover, etc., in a small bottle of water and set this in 

 the cage. How do the hoppers eat ? Let the children find 

 this out for themselves, even if it takes several days for 

 them to see the insects nibbling and chewing the leaves. 



Let the children try an experiment to determine how 

 much one hopper will eat. Place one of the insects in a 

 jar, and with it a half dozen fresh blades of grass. How 

 many blades are left next morning ? Try it on other plants ; 

 clover leaves, corn, etc. Sprinkle some water on the 

 leaves and see if the hoppers like to drink. 



Problem. — How does the grasshopper find out things? 



Can it see you when you come near? Can you find 

 the eyes? What else do you see on the head? Try to 

 find out what it does with its horns or feelers. Does it 

 act as if it can hear? If you raise the wings you may 

 see the ear spots on the back, one on each side. 



Problem. — (a) When, where, and how do grasshoppers 

 lay their eggs ? (b) How do young grasshoppers differ from 

 the grown-up ones ? 



