222 
Dr. Kidd on the 
to strength ; which, when the wings are folded, close toge- 
ther so as to form a horizontal covering, or roof, of sufficient 
strength to protect the subjacent membrane from ordinary 
accidents. As the narrow case formed by the wings thus 
folded extends beyond the extremity of the abdomen, and 
might easily slip off so convex and smooth a surface, such ah 
accident is guarded against by the contrivance already de- 
sch*ibed, namely, an apparatus of hairs or bristles placed on 
either side of the upper surface of the last segment but one. 
The digestive organs.^ It is mentioned in the 48th Letter 
of White's Natural History of Selborne, on the authority of 
Anatomists who have examined the intestines of the mole- 
cricket, that “ from the number of its stomachs or maws, 
there seems to be good reason to suppose that it ruminates, 
or chews the cud like many quadrupeds." A cursory view 
of these parts however is enough to show, that such an opi- 
nion could only have been deduced from some very general 
points of resemblance, and the probability of its truth is 
entirely destroyed upon an examination of their internal 
structure. 
In fact, the digestive organs of this insect resemble more 
closely those of a granivorus bird than of any other animal, 
as will appear from the following description. The esophagus, 
which on its upper side is blended with, and forms a conti- 
nuation of the inner surface of the upper lip, commences on 
the lower surface in a loose corrugated tongue, as it were, 
which is attached at its base to the inner surface of the lower 
lip ; from hence it is continued along the under part of the 
head and neck, and between the bony laminae of the sternum, 
* Vide fig. 6. 
