HEMIPTERA. 



155 



ig2. 





comically grotesque in appearance. In general outline 

 they resemble beech-nuts, except that many have humps on 

 their backs. The prothorax is prolonged back- 

 ward like a roof over the body, often quite covering 

 it. If the young entomologist wishes to laugh, let 

 him look at the faces of tree-hoppers through a 

 lens (Fig. 190). Their eyes always have a keen, F c^' bu . 

 droll look, and the line that separates the head b 

 from the prothorax gives them the appearance of wearing 

 glasses. In some cases the prothorax is elevated 

 above the head, so that it looks like a peaked 

 nightcap ; in others it is shaped like a Tam-o'- 

 "' Shanter ; and sometimes it has horns, one on each 

 side, which have given one species the name of 

 the Buffalo Tree-hopper. 



Many species of this family live upon bushes or small 

 trees, and are all good leapers ; hence the com- 

 mon name, Tree-hoppers. Some species ex- 

 crete honey-dew, and are attended by ants. 

 All feed upon plants, but they seldom appear FlG . , 94 ._7>/- 

 in sufficient numbers to do much damage. 



The accompanying figures will show some of the more 

 common forms seen in this strange family (Figs. 191-194). 



Family PSYLLID^: (Psyl'li-dae). 



The Jumping Plant-lice. 



The jumping plant-lice are comparatively small insects ; 

 our more common species measuring only from one-eighth 

 to one-sixth inch in length, and it is rare that we find any 

 twice that size. When examined with a lens 

 they appear like tiny Cicadas (Fig. 195). 

 T Their hind legs are formed for jumping ; their 

 1 antennae are nine or ten jointed, and their 

 tarsi are only two-jointed. Figure 197 repre- 

 sents the wings of a common species. 



The Psyllidae subsist entirely upon the 



