20 
THE GRASSHOPPER 
and consequently the last and most important work, that of 
providing for the next generation, is not possible. 
LABORATORY STUDY 
Examine a live grasshopper. What are its means of locomotion? 
Compare its jump with its length. If in the same proportion, how far 
could a man six feet tall jump? How does the grasshopper obtain 
food? ' What protection from enemies does it gain from its color? 
Notice the division of the body into three regions : head, thorax (tho'r&ks), 
which has wings and legs, and abdomen (Sh-do'mSn). How large is the 
head compared with the thorax and abdomen ? The body is covered with 
a skin-like substance, known as chitin. This is called the skeleton of 
the grasshopper and because it is on the outside of the body it is termed 
an exoskeleton. How does it protect the grasshopper? When the 
living grasshopper is held between the thumb and finger, it “spits 
molasses.” This is the partially digested food from its crop. 
4. Protection. — When we look closely at the grass¬ 
hopper, we find that it is provided with many adapta¬ 
tions which prevent its being caught and eaten. The 
A drawing to show the more important parts of the grasshopper, all of 
which can easily be seen without the aid of special instruments. 
most important of these are its color and markings. When 
a grasshopper jumps into the grass and remains quiet, its 
color so closely resembles the grass and the sticks that many 
of its enemies overlook it. This is an example of what is 
