322 



INSECTS ABROAD. 



mythology, who guarded the gates of the infernal regions, and 

 prevented the imprisoned souls frona escaping. 



There are several allied species, the most remarkable of which 

 is PhmoijIiilacHs funesta, of Sierra Leone. This insect looks 

 wonderfully like a huge spider, its legs being very long and 

 slender, and its body short, stout, and rounded. 



The strange-looking insect shown in the accompanying illus- 

 tration is a tolerably common one, and is found throughout the 



Fio. 161.— Calliiiienus oiiiscus. 

 (Green ; red abdoirieii, spotted with black.) 



warmer parts of Europe, Greece and Turkey seeming to be 

 favoured localities for it. There are several species belonging 

 to this genus, of which the present is the largest that is 

 known. 



All the insects of this genus are strange, awkward, ungainly- 

 looking beings, having rather the appearance of larvae or pupiB 

 than of perfect insects. The name oniscus, \i\\\c\\ signifies "a 

 wood-louse," is given to the insect in consequence of its extra- 

 ordinary shape. Generally, among Orthoptera, even if tlio females 



