FAMILY IV.— WALKIiNG-STICKS. 99 



wait patiently for insects to come near, when the\' suddenly 

 change their praying j^osition to a preying one, and seize 

 their unsuspecting victim with their terrible arms. 



The eggs, which are laid in peculiar clusters on twigs 

 and fences, are also encased in flattened ootheca, differing 

 from those of the cockroaches by being composed of hardened 

 silky matter. The ridiculous looking young insects are can- 

 nibals, and the old ones jire the worst fighters on record, 

 beating even the celebrated Kilkenny cats. 



FAMILY IV. 



WALKING-STICKS. 



{Phasttiidae*) . 



This family is also best represented in the tropics, where 

 numerous species occur. Most of them possess very strange 

 forms; some resemble fresh and green leaves, others look 

 tke old and withered ones, and still others resemble twigs 

 ver\' closely. The famous "Walking-leaf" is an insect that 

 belongs to this family. On account of these peculiar shapes, 

 insects of this kind are not readily seen, and thus escape 

 their enemies among the feathered tribe. All are strictly 

 vegetable feeders, hence can become injurious when found in 

 large numbers upon useful plants. Several species occur in 

 the United States, and one, which is illustrated in Fig. 61, 

 is found in Minnesota. 



Our American insects are spectre-like beings, possessing 

 a linear body furnished with long legs and antenna. Yet 

 notwithstanding their long legs they are exceedingly^ slow 

 in all their motions, and remain for a long time stationary. 



Unlike other orthoptera mentioned thus far, their large 

 and oval eggs are laid singlv, not united with others in a 

 capsule. 



GENUS Diapheromera Gray. 



Body long, slender and cylindrical. Head oval and 

 slightly inclined. Antennas long, slender, and composed of 



•Phasma, a spectre. 



