LXXXVIIl.] 
OF SELBORNE. 
accident we learned to distinguish the msle from the female ; 
the former of which is shining black, witli a golden stripe 
across his shoulders ; the latter is more dusky, more capacious 
about the abdomen, and carries a long sword-shaped weapon 
at her tail, which probably is the instrument with which she 
deposits her eggs in their receptacles. 
Where violent methods will not avail, more gentle means 
will often succeed ; and so it proved in the present case ; for, 
though a spade be too boisterous and rough an implement, a 
pliant stock of grass, gently insinuated into the caverns, will 
probe their windings to the bottom, and quickly bring out the 
inhabitant ; and thus the humane inquirer may gratify his 
curiosity without injuring the object of it. It is remarkable 
that, though these insects are furnished with long legs behind, 
and brawny thighs for leaping, like grasshoppers ; yet when 
driven from their holes they show no activity, but crawl along 
in a shiftless manner, so as easily to be taken: and again, 
though provided with a. curious apparatus of wings, yet they 
never exert them when there seems to be the greatest occasion. 
The males only make that thrilling noise perhaps out of rivalry 
and emulation, as is the case with many animals Avhich exert 
some sprightly note during their breeding time : it is raised by 
a brisk friction of one wing against the other. They are 
solitary beings, living singly male or female, each as it may 
happen; but there must be a tiuie v/hen the sexes have some 
intercourse, and then the wings may be useful perhaps during 
the hours of night. When the males meet they will fight 
fiercely, as I found by some which I put into the crevices 
of a dry stone wall, where I should have been glad to have 
made them settle. Tor though they seemed distressed by 
being taken out of their knowledge, yet the first that got posses- 
sion of the chinks would seize on any that were obtruded 
upon them with a vast row of serrated fangs. AVith their 
strong jaws, toothed like the shears of a lobster's claws, they 
perforate and round their curious regular cells, having no fore- 
claws to dig, like the mole- cricket. When taken in hand I 
could not but wonder that they never offered to defend them- 
selves, though armed with such formidable weapons. Of such 
