THE TREE-HOPPERS 



(Family Membracidts.) 



These insects comprise some of the most grotesque species 

 Which nature has evolved. Comstocl< offers the apt suggestion 

 that "Nature must have been in a joking mood when tree-hop- 

 pers were developed." The antennae are inserted in front of and 





Fig. 130. — Ceresa taurina. 



C After Marlatt.) 



between the eyes and the prothorax is prolonged so that it fre- 

 quently covers the rest of the body. It is by the curious modifica- 

 tions of this prothorax that the Strang*^, and grotesque forms of 

 the insects are produced. The majority of these modifications 



