THE GREY LOCUST I have just witnessed a moving spectacle: the last moult of a locust; the emergence of the adult from its larval envelope.

It was magnificent.
I am speaking of the Grey Locust, the colossus among our acridians,[10] which is often seen among the vines in September when the grapes are gathered.

By its size--and it grows as long as a man's finger--it lends itself to observation better than any other of its tribe.
The larva, disgustingly fat, like a rude sketch of the perfect insect, is commonly of a tender green; but it is sometimes of a bluish green, a dirty yellow, or a ruddy brown, or even an ashen grey, like the grey of the adult cricket.

The corselet is strongly keeled and indented, and is sprinkled with fine white spots.

As powerful as in the adult insect, the hind-leg has a corpulent haunch, streaked with red, and a long shin like a two-edged saw.
The elytra, which in a few days will extend far beyond the tip of the abdomen, are at present too small triangular wing-like appendages, touching along their upper edges, and continuing and emphasising the keel or ridge of the corselet.