GREEN PHASMIDS. 37 



The front pair of wings is short, only partly 

 covering the hind pair ; the latter are rather horny 

 along the upper edge which acts as a protection 

 to the flimsy fan-like part when closed. The 



inner portion of the hind wing is shaded from 

 green to a delicate pink. 



When this insect is flying, it is almost bird-like 

 in wing expanse. 



The legs are all the same size. The abdomen 

 is many jointed, and has a pair of cerci at the 

 end. (Plate 6, Fig. i. b.). 



Life History of the Green Phasmid. 



{Podacanthus Wilkinsoni-) 



The eggs are deposited singly on the ground 

 among dried leaves about February or March. They 

 are brownish green in color, about 1/5 inch in 

 length, rounded at the base, and flattened at the 

 upper end, which is surmounted by a knob, which 

 looks much like the top of a tiny lid. 



The eggs remain on the ground during the win- 

 ter, and the young phasmids come forth in early 

 spring. In some cases, the eggs lie dormant for 

 two seasons. 



By January or February, the phasmids are full 

 grown, having passed through a series of moults 

 in reaching the adult stage. 



A phasmid we had in captivity passed through its 

 final moult. The cast-off skin was perfect even 

 to the eye coverings and a^Jennse. The first rent 

 appeared over the back of the thorax and extended 

 forward. The head and front legs were pulled 



