676 EXTERNAL ANATOMY OF INSECTS. 



pers a {Lotustu Leach), the Rutelidce, &c. though in others 

 they are implanted : — of the second, in the cubitus of the 

 Mantidcc, and of all the tibia of the dragon-flies ( Libellulina 

 M C L.) b ;— and of both kinds in the hind-legs otAcridaK., 

 those which arm the upper angles of the tibiae being pro- 

 cesses, and those of the lower being implanted. The term 

 spine I think ought to be restricted to the first kind ; the 

 second ought rather to be denominated spurs (calcaria), 

 and may perhaps be regarded as in some degree synony- 

 mous with those most important appendages of the joint 

 in question, that are implanted in or near their apex, 

 which have been hitherto distinguished by this last deno- 

 mination, and which I am next to consider. But though 

 I have not altered a term generally adopted, I must here 

 express my opinion that they ought rather to be considered 

 as minute toes or fingers, and that the denomination best 

 agreeing with their functions, as accessories to the main 

 toe, would be digituli: this is proved particularly by a 

 character peculiar to those of many species of the genus 

 Cimbex amongst the saw-flies, in which these organs are 

 furnished with a sucker or pulvillus (as they are also in 

 CEnas a kind of blister beetle), as well as the joints of the 

 tarsi c ; which makes it evident that they are applied by 

 the animal to surfaces, and assist it in walking or climb- 

 ing ; and in general it may be observed that in most in- 

 sects their principal use is connected with these motions, 

 and with burrowing. This circumstance tends to prove 



a Plate XIV. Fig. 5. b It is remarkable that in this 



tribe all the legs may be called raptorious, though the thighs are not 

 incrassated, for they are armed with a double series or more of fine 

 long spurs, which enable them to catch and retain their prey. 



c Plate XXVII. Fig. 35. v'" . Philos. Trans. 1816. t. xix. /. 8,9. 

 See above, vol. ii. p. 331. 



