2Y0 CURIOUS HOMES AND THEIR TENANTS. 



colored conserve of the honey and pollen of the 

 tliistle upon which is deposited a single egg, it is 

 covered vrith three layers of leaf cutting so exactly 

 circular that, as observers notice, no compass could 

 define their margin more accurately. 



IV. 



MINERS AND GRAVE DIGGERS. 



The miners and excavators are best represented 

 by the mole cricket. Like the mammal after which 

 it is named, this little creature digs extensive galleries. 

 The structure of its fore limbs and feet much resem- 

 bles that of the mole. The tibiae of these limbs are 

 broad, flat, and of a strong, horny substance, and are 

 armed with sharp, strong claws. 



Nothing more unlike the ordinary forelegs of an 

 insect could well have been contrived. If the edges 

 of our spades were similarly armed their efficiency 

 would be undoubtedly increased. The whole struc- 

 ture of the insect is in all parts adapted to the work 

 it has to perform. 



The breast is defended by a cuirass of strong horn, 

 backed by double layers of tough gristle, in front of 

 which are firmly jointed the slioulder blades, to pre- 

 vent the insect from being wounded by the power- 

 ful impact of earth and sand in digging. 



Passing over, for want of space, many most inter- 

 esting branches of industry practiced by insects, we 

 close appropriately with the sextons, or gi-ave-diggers, 

 whose craft is the last that can be used for the benefit 



