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anatomy of the mole-cricket. 
The antennas, which are situated near the articulation of the 
mandibles, consist of a great number of minute segments; 
resembling beads of a circular form : the number of these 
beads, which varies in different instances, is usually from 
loo to no; rarely more or less: but it is worth noticing 
that in examining the two antennas of the same individual, I 
sometimes found the number of beads greater in one than in 
the other ; and as the terminal bead differs in its form from 
all the rest, the result of the examination is less open to 
doubt than it would otherwise have been. Each bead is 
united to the one that precedes and the one that follows it by 
means of a soft, white, very flexible membrane ; in conse- 
quence of which, and of the number of the joints, the insect 
can move and bend the antennge with great facility in every 
direction, excepting at the very root : there the motion is 
confined by a ridge that only admits of its being directed 
from behind, forwards, or vice versa. 
The anterior edge of each bead is fringed with bristly 
hair; which, surrounding the joint that connects it to the 
following bead, gives to the whole, when viewed by a mag- 
nifying lens, the appearance of a sprig of equisetum. The 
beads are upon the whole larger, in proportion as they are 
nearer to the origin of the antennas : but here and there, and 
without any regularity in the variation, one of the beads is 
either much larger or much smaller than those in the vicinity. 
Whatever be the primary use of the antennae and palpi, 
on which subject entomologists are not agreed, their general 
importance is allowed by all ; and is evinced in the parti- 
cular instance now before us by the extraordinary attention 
bestowed upon them by this insect. Those who may be led 
MDCCCXXV. F f 
