94 



AN INTRODUCTION TO ENTOMOLOGY. 



especially at the base, are lighter than the discal portions. The 

 adult measures to the tip of the wings 25 mm. (1 

 inch) or more. Although this is a native species, 

 living in our fields, it is often found in our dwellings, 

 being attracted by lights at night. 



Among our species of cockroaches are many 

 wingless forms. One of these is represented in 

 Fig. 88. 



Fig. 88.— A wing- 

 less Cockroach. 



Family III. — MANTID^E.* 



{The Soothsayers or Praying Mantes.) 



The members of this family have received many 

 popular names in the regions where they occur, owing to their gro- 

 tesque forms and strange attitudes. Among these are Rear-horses, 

 Race-horses, Camel-crickets, Praying Mantes, and Soothsayers. The 



Fig. %Q.—Phasmomantis Carolina 



species are usually of considerable size, so that they are conspicuous 

 objects. We have no representative of the family at the North ; 

 and there are but few species in our Southern States, they being 

 chiefly inhabitants of tropical countries. 



The most striking characters of these insects are the great length 

 of the prothorax, it being the longest segment of the body, and the 

 enlarged front legs, which are fitted for grasping. With some spe- 

 cies the wings resemble leaves of plants in form and coloring. This 

 resemblance is protective, causing the insects to resemble twigs of 



Mantidae, Mantis: mantis (/.lavrii), a prophet; also the Greek name for these in- 



sects. 



