314 MOTIONS OF INSECTS. 
The hind legs of many beetles are furnished with re- 
markably large and thick posterior thighs. Of this de- 
scription are several species of weevils (Curculionide) ; 
for instance, Orchestes Illig. and Ramphus Clairv.; the 
whole tribe of skippers (Haltica, F.), and the splendid 
African tribe of Sagra, F.*, &c. The object of these 
disproportioned and clumsy thighs is to allow space for 
more powerful muscles, by which the tibiz, when the 
legs are unbent, are impelled with greater force. In 
the Orthoptera order all the grasshoppers (Gryllide)— 
including the genera Gryllotalpa; Acheta; Tridactylus ; 
Gryllus; Locusta; Pneumora; Truxalis; Acrydium; 
and Tetrix of Latreille—are distinguished by incrassated 
posterior thighs; which however are much longer, more 
tapering and shapely, (they are indeed somewhat clumsy 
in the two first genera, the crickets,) than those of most 
of the Coleoptera that are furnished with them. When 
disposed to leap, these insects bend their hind leg so as 
to bring the shank into close contact with the thigh— 
which has often a longitudinal furrow armed with a row 
of spines on each side, to receive it. The leg being 
thus bent, they suddenly unbend it with a jerk, when 
pushing against the plane of position, they spring into 
the air often to a considerable height and distance. A 
locust, which however is aided by its wings, it is said 
will leap two hundred times its own length”.—Aristo- 
phanes, in order to make the great and good Athenian 
philosopher, Socrates, appear ridiculous, represents 
him as having measured the leap of a flea‘. In our 
better times scientific men have done this without being 
* Oliv. Hrtom. n. 90, ti.’ Swamm. Bibl, Nat. Ed. Hill, i. 123. b.. 
© Aristoph. Nudes, Act. i. Se. 2. 
