266 POPULAR SCRIPTURE ZOOLOGY.

Orper ORTHOPTERA.

GRYLLUS MiGRATORIUS.—The Locust.

The family Locustida is distinguished from the remainder
of the group (which includes the crickets and grasshoppers)
by having the wings deflexed (bent down) and short an-
tenn : the former peculiarity separates it from the crickets
(Acketida), and the latter from the grasshoppers (Gryliida).
Modern naturalists also apply to them the term Saltatoria,
on account of the leaping powers possessed by some of the
species. They have coloured elytra, and large wings, placed
when at rest in straight folds, covered by long narrow wing-
cases; the antennse are short; the feet have three joints;
and the hind legs are long and very powerful, enabling the
insect to take long leaps.

The most celebrated species is the Migratory Locust
(Gryllus migratorius or Locusta migratoria), noted for its
marvellous powers of destruction. It is generally of a
brownish colour, varied with pale red, the legs of a bluish
cast. There are many other species: one closely resembling
Gryllus migratoriue is frequently met with in South Ame-
rica, committing great ravages, but not comparable in num-
bers to the swarms of the eastern hemisphere.