288 INSECTS ABROAD. 



larger. As with ours, the female has no wings, though the 

 male is provided with those organs, and is much smaller than its 

 mate. This species has a very wide range, and there are speci- 

 mens in the British Museum taken from Turkey, Malta, Greece, 

 Bagdad, Egypt, Algeria, and Asia Minor. The generic name 

 Polyphaga is formed from two Greek words, signifying "a 

 general eater." 



The rather formidable insect which is shown in the accom- 

 panying illustration is a native of Australia. There is more 

 colour about it than is generally the case with Cockroaches, dark 

 reddish brown being their usual hue. 



The whole surface is finely granulated, and, though at first 



Kio. 1 1'J. — Polyzosteria cuprea. 

 (Copper-brown, with yellow marks.) 



sight it appears to be simply brown, a decided coppery wash is 

 seen when it is viewed by a side light. On the front of the 

 thorax is seen a white stripe, and on either side are two similar 

 marks. In the insect itself these marks are bright yellow ; and 

 if the creature be elongated, so as to separate the segments, it 

 will be seen to have the front edge of each segment marked 

 with the same colour, though hidden by the segment immedi- 

 ately in front of it. The legs, too, are similarly coloured, being 

 banded alternately with yellow and dark brown. The name 

 Polyzosteria, which is a Greek word signifying " many-banded," 

 refers to these alternate belts of different colours. 



Plain as are the generality of Cockroaches in respect of hue, 



