54 HANDBOOK OF ANTS, BEES, ETC. 



We will now proceed to describe each of these families in 

 turn. 



Tribe I. — Cursoria. 



The insects constituting this group are distinguished by having 

 their hind legs adapted for walking or running. They are sub- 

 divided into three famiUes. 



Family i, Blattidce. — This family includes the numerous species 

 of cockroaches, or " black bats " as they are often called by 

 uneducated persons. They are represented in all parts of the 

 world, but are most abundant within the tropics, and especially in 

 central and southern America, where also the largest and finest 

 species are to be found. Many curious forms are also to be met 

 with in India and different parts of Africa. 



They are very active creatures, and run with considerable 

 rapidity, but their activity is chiefly nocturnal, and during the day 

 they generally remain quietly concealed in some obscure retreat. 



Fig. 66. — BLtla Orienlalis. 



Their diet consists of both vegetable and animal matter, and offal 

 of every description. They are most useful in hot climates, acting 

 the part of scavengers, and by these means preventing the out- 

 break of malaria and other pestilential diseases. 



The best-known species in this country is the common Cock- 

 roach {Blatfa orie?italts), which, by-the-bye, is not a native of 

 Europe, having been introduced from the East several centuries 

 ago, and to have made its home here. 



Other species besides this are met with occasionally in different 

 parts of the country, having been introduced in like manner at 

 different times from foreign parts. The Giant Cockroach {Blaberus 



