The family Acridiidae includes a large part of the species that make up our meagre list of British Orthoptera. Indeed, the only native Orthoptera at the present time sufficiently common to attract general attention are, in addition to the earwig, the species of the genera _Stenobothrus_ and _Gomphocerus_, whose musical instruments we have described previously. We have eight species of these Insects. They are the little grasshoppers, so common in our fields and gardens, the hunting of which is a source of much amusement to children. The Insect goes off with a sudden and long hop just as it is going to be seized, and this is appreciated by the child as very clever. The hunt, as a rule, does not result in much damage to the grasshoppers, the ingenious escape being the greater part of the pleasure. These _Stenobothri_ are remarkable for their variation in colour, and it is thought by some that they frequent spots where they find themselves a match with their surroundings. There is, however, little or no information of importance on this point extant. _Mecostethus grossus_ (Fig. 173), though larger, is very like the common field grasshoppers, but appears to have become rare since the fens were drained. The two curious little grasshoppers of the genus _Tettix_ (Fig. 179) are not uncommon. In addition to these Acridiidae, three species of migratory locusts are occasionally met with in Britain, viz. _Pachytylus cinerascens_ (Fig. 177), _P. migratorius_, and _Schistocerca peregrina_ (Fig. 84); this latter we have already alluded to as being probably the locust mentioned in the book of Exodus. Acridiidae have never been found in amber, owing possibly to their large size and strength. There are but few fossil forms known, and these do not extend farther back in time than the Mesozoic {309}epoch. Several forms, including three peculiar genera, have been found in the Tertiary strata at Florissant. The remains from the Mesozoic layers are apparently very fragmentary and obscure. Brongniart has instituted a family of Insects under the name Palaeacrididae[242] for some fossil Insects from the Carboniferous strata at Commentry. He considers that these Insects were abundant in the epoch of the Carboniferous strata. The very large number of genera and species of Acridiidae have been recently arranged in nine tribes by Brunner von Wattenwyl:— 1. Feet without a claw-pad.[243] [Pronotum covering all the body.] Tegmina lobe-like. Tribe 1. TETTIGIDES. (Figs. 179, 180, _Tettix_, _Xerophyllum_, _Cladonotus_.) 1′. Feet with a claw-pad. 2. Antennae shorter than the anterior femora. 3. Head short, as if compressed from in front. 4. Body bladder-like, inflated.[244] [Pronotum covering half the abdomen.] South African species. Tribe 2. PNEUMORIDES. (Fig. 182, _Pneumora scutellaris_.) 4′. Body ordinary. Tribe 3. MASTACIDES. (Fig. 181, _Mastax guttatus_.)