ORTHOPTERA. 
211 
omnivorous, they are usually of small dimensions, 
(Plate VI. fig. 4, mandibles of the house cricket with 
incisive teeth. Fig. 4 X , one of the mandibles of 
Acrydium, with a large molar plate near the internal 
base, b.) 
The organs which next require to he noticed, are 
the maxillee or under jaws. As they arc employed 
for a similar purpose as the mandibles, they have a 
corresponding development ; they are in fact often 
of large size, and in their general forms not unlike 
those of the carnivorous coleoptera. They are always 
glabrous in this order, or clothed with such short 
hairs as to be almost imperceptible. The maxillary 
palpi, (Plate VI. fig. 5, c) are always five-jointed in 
this order, whereas the normal number among the 
Coleoptera appears to be four. The portion called 
the blade of the maxilla, is that which forms the 
apical extremity ; it is usually incurved and bifid at 
the tip, (Plate VI. fig. 5, a.) It bears externally a 
distinct lobe, corresponding to what are frequently 
described as internal maxillary palpi. The name 
galea or helmet is now applied to this piece, (Plate 
VI. fig. 5, b.) It is frequently palpiform, consisting of 
two joints, and in some instances, (as in Acrydium) 
apparently of three ; but in all cases it is dilated at 
the extremity somewhat in the form of a helmet, 
being vaulted, and covering the apex of the maxillae 
to which it is usually closely applied. This is an 
important piece owing to the part it takes in nutrition, 
and the permanence of its forms in different species. 
The labium or under lip is rather of a more com- 
