HABITAT: St. Vincent.
General colour brown, but probably green when alive, becoming brown by
the spirits in which it was preserved. Antennæ about three inches long,
and composed of a great number of articulations (not less than fifty)
being thickest at their roots, from whence they diminish a little to
their extremities. Head oblong, with two short thick spines on the top,
near the front. Eyes small, round, black, and distant. Four palpi, each
4-jointed; that next the mouth being the shortest. Mouth appearing not to
be furnished with strong teeth or jaws, but seeming rather formed for
macerating tender plants. Neck and thorax having a great many short thick
spines on them; particularly the latter, which has a ridge on each side,
full of spines like the teeth of a saw, extending to the abdomen. "It is
evident this species is furnished with wings when arrived to its complete
state, by the rudiments observable in this; which, though they are
exceeding small, are a sufficient proof it is not wingless." Abdomen
composed of seven articulations; the last being divided into three
smaller ones, from whence springs from the under part an instrument that
extends about half an inch beyond the tail, being shaped like a
three-edged sword; each side being hollowed and grooved like that weapon.
When first received, the abdomen was considerably broader than it is now,
being then nearly the breadth of a man's thumb; but now is contracted
one-fourth, and in proportion every other part is less, except the head.
The hind legs are longer than the rest; but are not formed, like the
locust tribe, for leaping. The under part of the thighs are furnished
with short thick spines; those on the hinder ones being the strongest,
and most conspicuous. The tips of the femora are furnished with two thick
strong spines, which are placed on each side the joint. The tibiæ are
short and thick. The tarsi consist of five articulations besides the
claws; the bottom of each having a valve or sucker to it; those placed
between the hooks being considerably larger than the others, by which the
creature is enabled to climb up any thing perpendicularly that has a
smooth surface.