24 LIFE STORIES OF AUSTRALIAN INSECTS. 



is flimsy and covered by the front pair, in repose. 

 There is a stronger band in the front area of the 

 hind wings. (Plate 4, Fig. i, c.) The lower part 

 of the flying-wing is fan-shaped. 



The three pairs of legs are long, slender and 

 spined on the under edges. The coxa or first divi- 

 sion of the leg is much longer than in most insects. 

 It lies flat along the under surface of the body when 

 the insect is not in motion, and may be mistaken 

 for the femur or thigh region. The foot ends in 

 a pair of claws. 



The abdomen is made up of a number of ringed 

 parts, 10 in all, but those towards the end of the 

 body overlap one another, so that to the casual 

 observer 8 only appear. On the under surface and 

 towards the sides may be seen 8 pairs of breathing 

 pores, one pair on each of 8 segments. 



Near the end of the abdomen is a pair of small 

 spine-like structures called cerci. In the male 



there is an additional pair called styles. 



Life History of the Domestic Cockroach. 



(Periplaneta Americauus.) 



The female deposits an tgg case (Plate 4, Fig. 3) 

 about fin. in length, and enclosing sixteen eggs 

 fitted into eight separate cavities on the inside of 

 each half of the case. This case at first is white, 

 but rapidly changes to a light brown colour. In 

 general shape it bears a resemblance to a small 

 kidney bean. After a short period this Qgg case 

 bursts and the tiny cockroaches come forth. They 



