184 



NATURAL HISTORY OF ARTHROPODS. 



of the characteristic song of these insects. The hind-wings are also long and much 

 veined, and are folded up lengthwise and tucked away under the elytra, beyond the 

 tips of which they pi'oject a trifle in some of the species. The base of the front tibiae 

 or shanks is somewhat dilated, with an oval cavity each side closed by a membraneous 

 covering. The genitalia are greatly developed ; in the female into a long, sword- 

 shaped ovipositor, and in the male into strong, pincer-like claspers. The body is short, 

 compressed, and somewhat arched. The prothorax is free and covered by a saddle- 

 shaped shield, which is a prominent feature of the family. The members of this divi- 

 sion are chiefly of green and brown colors, which agree well with their environment. 



The wingless Locustidae have the head as in the winged genera, save the cone-like 

 projection of the vertex. It is also more deeply set in the prothorax, which latter is 

 not so distinctly free from the abdomen as in the winged forms. The legs are shorter 

 and stouter, and are furnished with longer spines, thereby showing a relationship to 

 the members of the preceding family, which they closely resemble in many of their 

 characters. These wingless genera live chiefly on the ground and in crevices among 

 rocks. Their habits are somewhat similai- to those of many of the Gryllidse ; and their 

 colors are also modest and inconspicuous, various shades of gray or brown predominat- 

 ing. As we shall see, the eggs of many of the American Locustidae are laid above 

 ground, while most of the European species ovijjosit in the ground. 



As their name implies, the stone crickets, which are wingless and soft-bodied, live 

 under stones and in crevices among rocks. There .are a number of species found with- 

 in the limits of the United States, and they may 

 be recognized by their arched bodies and mottled 

 colors. Ceuthophilus maculatus is found in the 

 Xew England States, and is distinguished from 

 all other species by the males having the posterior 

 tibiae waved at their base. C. lajndicolus inhabits 

 the country from Pennsylvania southward, whei-e 

 it takes the place of the preceding species. C. 

 uhleri, a Maryland species, is of a reddish-brown ground-color with lighter mottlings. 

 C. divergens lives under logs and stones in Iowa and Nebraska, while 0. stygius is from 

 Kentucky, where it inhabits caves. There are still a number of other species of these 

 crickets found in various localities throughout North America. There are also a few 

 met with in Europe and other parts of the world, where they possess similar habits. 

 The true cave crickets, of 

 which there are three known 

 species, belong to the genus 

 Eadenoecus. These locust- 

 arians have very long limbs 

 and antennae, and are color- 

 less and blind. H. cavern- 

 arum inhabits the caves of 

 North America, while H. 

 palpatus lives in those of 

 Europe. The third species, 

 H. edwardsii, is from New 

 Zealand, where it was captured by Mr. Henry Edwards in a cave close to the sea- 

 shore and near a very large coal deposit. These insects are by no means uncommon 



Fig. 259. — Ceuikophilus maculatus^ wingless 

 cricket. 



Fig. 2G0. — Jfadencecus caveriiarum, cave cricket. 



