72 TRUE TALES OF THE INSECTS. 



that is almost universal in the Insecta, and reverse the 

 normal condition in the family to which they belong ; 

 but also differ widely from the same parts of its mate, 

 and, moreover, are completely different — in quite an 

 exceptional manner for a Phasmid — from its own other 

 pair of organs of flight. 



This extreme resemblance of Phyllium to a leaf has 

 attracted the notice even of the natives of the tropics 

 where they abound, where little or nothing is known of 

 natural history. In many such places, as in the Indies, 

 it has given rise to the singular belief that the insects 

 are truly transformed leaves, by which the inhabitants 

 understand a bud developing into a leaf, and subsequently 

 being converted into a walking-leaf insect. We have 

 evidence of the idea obtaining credence in Ceylon, and 

 no explanation could shake the rooted conviction in the 

 reality of this miracle. 



When first brought into notice in this country they 

 created unbounded surprise. Thus Richard Bradley, a 

 fellow of the Royal Society, and at one time Professor of 

 Botany in the University of Cambridge, writes of them 

 iri 1739' in a philosophical work, in a fashion fully as 

 grotesque as any legend of the countries which they 

 inhabit. This fanciful author regards them as exhibiting 

 identity of animal and vegetable development, "being 

 nourish'd," he observes, "as well by the Juices of the 

 Tree, which the Mother Insect lays its eggs in, as by its 



