SYNOPSIS OF PIIASMID.E. 4 



apterous imago females, these organs are always larger than the 

 rudimental wings ; and on the other hand, there are species which 

 possess only rudimental tegmina, though they are furnished with 

 ample wings. 



The wings are transparent, with a broad anterior membranaceous 

 margin, generally termed the costa or costal area, which is opake, 

 and when closed, entirely covers the transparent portion. The organs 

 vary much in length, sometimes nearly covering the abdomen ; in 

 others (in the female) they are rudimental ; and sometimes they are 

 entirely wanting: their shape varies much, not merely in the species, 

 but even in the sexes, for they are generally shorter and broader 

 in the female than in the male. 



The abdomen also varies considerably in form. In some it is 

 long and cylindrical ; in others, filiform : in some it is broad, con- 

 vex above, and flat beneath ; in others, perfectly flat and mem- 

 branaceous ; and others have only certain segments dilated above or 

 laterally : it is in general composed of ten segments. The apex is 

 variously modified, according to the species; and is generally curved 

 upwards in the male. Some of the Pterophasmata have three, and 

 others only two lo; g or short leaflets at the extremity of the abdo- 

 men ; and sometimes the last segment, or hypopygium, of the female 

 is furnished with an elongate and cymbiform oviduct. In other 

 species, the apex is gibbose ; and in some of the A 'pterophasmata 

 it is similar in form to the head of a spear. It is often armed with a 

 pair of forceps (which is probably found more prominent in the 

 males of both subfamilies), situated beneath the last upper segment 

 or podex, and supposed to assist in copulation : in some males the 

 last-mentioned organs are bifid. In one or two species spiracles 

 are visible, placed one on each side, at the base of the segments. 



The legs are similarly formed (adapted for running), but differ 

 much in form and length in different species : sometimes the fore 

 legs are the longest; sometimes the intermediate pair are much 

 shorter than the others ; sometimes the posterior pair are the 

 shortest. The fore legs are seated so near the head as to require 

 an excavation near the base for their reception, and are said to be 

 directed straight forward, when at rest, as if to protect the antennae 

 from injury. In some these organs are spined, or more or less 

 dentated ; in others, more or less perfoliate and membranaceous. 



The tarsi are always composed of five unequal joints, the first 

 of which is always the longest, the others gradually decreasing in 

 size : the fifth is large, pyriform, and armed with two long, com- 

 pressed, hooked, (sometimes bifid,) acute claws, between which is 

 placed a very prominent plantula, or cushion. Some species have 

 an elevated ridge along the upper surface of their tarsi. 



It may be observed as a general rule, that the males of these in- 

 sects are much shorter and more filiform than the females, the 

 former in some cases measuring only half the length of the latter 

 sex. The means of distinguishing between their different stages of 



