21 



GROUP CURSORIA. 



(Non-leapiiio- Orthoptera, including- Cockroaches, 

 Mantids, Phasmids, Earwigs.) 



FAMILY BLATTID^. 



(Cockroaches.) 



(Plate 4, Figs, i, 2, 3.) 



The distinguishing- features of the members of 

 this family are : — The oval body, flattened from 

 above as if compressed by a heavy w^eight; the 

 slender spined legs; and the long coxae: the head 

 is bent over on to the under or ventral surface. 



The flattened body will probably lead us to con- 

 clude that the cockroach lives where space is 

 limited. This we find to be true,' for its haunts 

 are in crevices in buildings, under the bark of 

 trees, in decaying timber, under stones, etc. The 

 slender legs will further suggest that it is capable 

 of rapid movement, and from the uniformity of 

 these legs we infer that it is a runner and not a 

 leaper, hence it belongs to the Group Cursoria. 



Cockroaches vary in colour from dark brown to 

 black. A great number are wingless, and by the 

 inexperienced these are mistaken for beetles or 

 wood bugs. 



The life of a cockroach varies, some species ma- 

 turing in a few months, while others are said to 



