306 MOTIONS OF INSECTS. 
L.) that are remarkable, like certain moths, for their 
long antennze. It was perched upon a blade of grass, and 
kept moving these organs, which were twice as long as 
itself, in all directions, as if by means of them it was ex- 
ploring every thing that occurred in its vicinity—Many 
Tipule, and likewise some mites (Acarus vibrans and 
Gamasus motatorius, F.), distinguished by long anterior 
legs, from this circumstance denominated pedes motatorit 
by Linné, holding them up in the air impart to them a 
vibratory motion, resembling that of the antennze of some 
insects*.—I scarcely need mention, what must often 
have attracted your attention, the actions of flies when 
they clean themselves; how busily they rub and wipe 
their head and thorax with their fore legs, and their 
wings and abdomen with their hind ones.—Perhaps you 
are not equally aware of the use to which the rove- 
beetles (Staphylinus, L.) put their long abdomen. They 
turn it over their back not only to put themselves in a 
threatening attitude, as I lately related>, but also to fold 
up their wings with it, and pack them under their short 
elytra. 
With respect to the motions of insects in action, they 
may be subdivided, as was just observed, into motions 
whose object is change of place—and sportive motions. 
The locomotions of these animals are walking, running, 
jumping, climbing, flying, swimming, and burrowing. 
I begin with the walkers. 
The mode of their walking depends upon the number 
and kind of their legs. With regard to these, insects 
may be divided into four natural classes ; viz. Hexapods, 
@ De Geer, vi. 335. » See above, p. 236. 
