CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



Family BLATTID/E (Blat / ti-dae).--The body is oval 

 when seen from above, and is very flat; the three 

 pairs of legs are similar in form ; 

 the insects run rapidly. They 

 are commonly known as cock- 

 roaches. Some are winged (Fig. 

 47), others are wingless (Fig. 48). 

 Family MANTID/E (Man'ti-dse). 

 The prothorax is very long and 

 slender ; the first pair of legs are 

 very different from the others 

 and are fitted for grasping. These 

 insects feed on other insects, 

 which they seize with their fore legs. The suppliant 

 attitude which they assume while lying in wait for 





FIG. 47. 

 The Croton- 

 bug. 



FIG. 48. 

 A wingless 

 cockroach. 



FIG. 49. A praying-mantis. 



their prey (Fig. 49) has given them the name of pray- 

 ing mantes, the name of the typical genus being 

 Mantis. 



Family PHASMID/E (Phas'mi-dae).--The body is 

 very long and slender; the three pairs of legs are 



