STRAIGHT-WINGED INSECTS. 165 



on the roots of plants, and is sometimes very injurious 

 to our gardens and meadows. This insect is scarcely 

 ever seen above ground, but its presence may easily 

 be detected by the withering blight that marks its sub- 

 terranean ravages- We frequently see large spots of 

 grass in our meadows becoming yellow, and drying up. 

 because its roots are devoured by the Mole- Cricket, 

 which dwells under it. These insects would prove 

 •much more annoying and injurious to us, were they 

 not constantly being destroyed by moles, lizzards and 

 snakes. 



Cockroaches. Blatta. 



The Common Cockroach, Blatta orientalis, has been 

 so universally known in the Old and the New World, 

 for ages, that it is almost impossible to ascertain whence 

 it first originated. Suffice it to say, that it has a flat 

 body, about an inch long, of a dirty yellow or black 

 color, and long awl-shaped antenns, each of which is 

 composed of eighty joints. 



Cockroaches, as is well known, are very voracious, 

 and devour every thing that comes in their way, and 

 as they are at the same time very prolific, they should 

 always be destroyed when encountered. This may be 

 done by pouring boiling water upon them, or suffocat- 

 ing them with sulphur smoke. Many houses in St. 



