294 



MOTIONS OF INSECTS. 



feet, that distinguish the chafers {Petalocerci) — most of which 

 in their first states live under ground, and many occasionally 

 in their last — enable them to make their way either into the 

 earth or out of it. Two other genera of beetles (Scarites and 

 Clivinia Latr.) have these shanks palmated, or armed with 

 longer teeth at their extremity, for the same purpose. But the 

 most remarkable burrower amongst perfect insects is that sin- 

 gular animal the mole-cricket (Gryllotalpa vulgaris). 1 This 

 creature is endowed with wonderful strength, particularly in its 

 thorax and fore-legs. The former is a very hard and solid 

 shell or crust, covering like a shield the trunk of the animal ; 

 and the latter are remarkably fitted for burrowing, both by 

 their strength and construction. The shanks are very broad, 

 and terminate obliquely in four enormous sharp teeth, like so 

 many fingers: the foot consists of three joints — the two first 

 being broad and tooth-shaped, and pointing in an opposite di- 

 rection to the teeth of the shank; and the last small, and 

 armed at the extremity with two sharp claws. This foot is 

 placed inside the shank, so as to resemble a thumb, and per- 

 form the office of one. The direction and motion of these 

 hands, as in moles, is outwards; thus enabling the animal 

 most effectually to remove the earth when it burrows. 

 By the help of these powerful instruments, it is astonishing 

 how instantaneously it buries itself. This creature works 

 under ground like a field-mouse, raising a ridge as it goes ; 

 but it does not throw up heaps like its name-sake the mole. 

 They will in this manner undermine whole gardens ; and thus 

 in wet and swampy situations, in which they delight, they ex- 

 cavate their curious apartments, before described. The field- 

 cricket (Gryllus campestris) is also a burrower, but by means 

 of different instruments ; for with its strong jaws, toothed like 

 the claws of a lobster, but sharper, in heaths and other dry 

 situations it perforates and rounds its curious and regular 

 cells. The house-cricket (G. domesticus), which, on account 

 of the softness of the mortar, delights, in new-built houses, 

 with the same organs, to make herself a covered-way from 

 room to room, burrows and mines between the joints of the 

 bricks and stones. 2 



1 Plate II. Fig. 2. a White, Nat. Hist. ii. 72. 76. 80. 



