ORTHOPTERA. 



95 



the plants upon which they are. All of the species are carnivorous. 

 They do not pursue their prey, but wait patiently with the front 

 legs raised like uplifted hands in prayer, until it comes within reach, 

 when they seize it. This position which they as- 

 sume while waiting gives them most of their 

 popular names. The eggs of the Mantidae are 

 laid in clusters on twigs, and encased in a flattened 

 case or ootheca (Fig. 90). This differs from the 

 ootheca of the cockroach in being composed of 

 hardened silk. 



The most common species of the Southern 

 States is Phasmomdiitis Carolina. This is shown 

 by Fig. 89. By referring to this figure the un- 

 usual development of the front legs can be seen. 

 The parts of the leg that are most strongly 

 spined are the femur and tibia ; the slender 

 tarsus appears as an appendage of the tibia ; 

 and the coxa is so elongated that at first sight 

 it would be mistaken for the femur. 



Family IV.— Phasmid.-e." 

 ( Wa/king-sticks.) 



Even more grotesque in appearance than the 

 Mantidae are the insects constituting the family 

 Phasmidae, and commonly known as Walking-sticks, 

 or Spectres. They can be easily recognized by their 

 long, linear bodies, furnished with long legs and antennae. The 

 three pairs of legs are similar in form. Their wings, when present, 

 a/e small, or if large, very leaf-like ; resembling in some instances 

 fresh green leaves, in others, those that are dry and withered. The 

 wingless species often resemble twigs. 



The Walking-sticks are strictly herbivorous ; the)' are slow in their 

 motions, and often remain quiet for a long time in one place. Their 

 eggs are large, oval, and are scattered on the ground beneath the 

 plants upon which the insects feed, the female, unlike most Orthop- 

 terous insects, making no provision for their safety. 



These insects are chiefly tropical. Only a single species is com- 

 mon in the Northeastern United States. This is Diaphcromera fe- 



Fic. go. — Egir-masses 



of /'. Carolina. 



(From Riley.) 



* Phasmidrc, Phfisma: phasma {(pciaiicx), a spectre. 



