100 GRAMMAR OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



crickets, &c. : it is seldom, in any instance, so 

 conspicuous, prominent, and convex, as the pro- 

 thorax and mesothorax are in many insects. 



327. The metathorax bears two wings, one of 

 which is attached to each side ; these are called 

 the hind wings {metalce) ; and two legs attached 

 to its inferior surface ; these are called the hind 

 legs (metapedes). 



328. The order of these four segments, and the 

 names and positions of the limbs which they bear ; 

 the two antennae, two eyes, a mouth, four wings, 

 and six legs ; ought to be well impressed on the 

 memory : the possession of these limbs or appen- 

 dages at once identifies a living animal as being an 

 insect. 



329. The possession of a greater or less number 

 of antennae, eyes, mouths, vifings, or legs, leads 

 us to refer an animal to some other division. It 

 may not be amiss here to remark, that Insects 

 form a portion of a larger group of animals ; 

 and that the external skeleton is a character 

 common to them all. 



330. The fifth segment (propodeon) is generally 

 of less size than the three preceding segments ; 

 it is usually so closely united to the metathorax, 

 as to be distinguished from it only by a sutural 

 line. The propodeon and following segments 

 never bear limbs of any kind, whether wings oi- 

 legs. 



331. The peduncle, or sixth segment {podcon), 



