i86 



NATURE-STUDY 



the power of extended flight, and sometimes make long 

 migrations. 



The head of the grasshopper has a number of interesting 

 organs. There are enormous compound eyes at the sides 

 made up of many little eyes, or "facets." These can be 

 readily seen with a magnifying glass. Besides the compound 



eyes there are three little simple 

 eyes arranged in a triangle af 

 the top and in the front of the 

 head. In front of the eyes there 

 are two jointed, tapering rods, 

 called antennas or feelers, which 

 are sensitive organs by which 

 the insect can feel and smeU. 



The mouth is a very compli- 

 cated thing in most insects. In 

 the locust it consists of the upper 

 lip Cseen m front), and behind 

 it a pair of powerful biting jaws 

 or mandibles (seen on the sides). 

 Then follow two pairs of curious 

 lobed appendages, called maxillae, which ser\'e in chewing 

 and holding the food, and which have a pair of feelers. The 

 last pair of maxillae are grown together in the grasshopper and 

 form what is called the imder lip. 



The body and legs of the grasshopper are covered with a 

 tough, homy substance, which serves as a coat of mail 

 against the stings and bites of other insects, and against 

 mechanical injuries, and also as an external skeleton to give 

 shape to the body and to permit the attachment and action 

 of the internal muscles. This coating is technically called 





Fig. 46. Mouth-parts of Locust. 



(Photomicrograph.) 



