OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 159 



distinguished. In the pupa state they are quite pretty, and their faces 

 have a comically wise look, and every motion is invested with a sort 

 of dignity that can not fail to amuse the observer. 



Including the molt in leaving the egg, they cast their skins five 

 times, becoming pupw at the fourth and acquiring wings at the fifth. 

 In each case the palpi are adroitly used to help the long antennae out 

 of the old skin, and a description of the last, which is more easily 

 watched, will convey a correct idea of all. In changing from the pupa 

 to the perfect form, the insect stations itself firmly upon a large stem, 

 or a couple of twigs which branch in such a manner as to afford a con- 

 venient support, and, after a short period of inactivity, a rupture ap- 

 pears in the covering of the head, and gradually extends backward 

 to the posterior edge of the thorax. The armor of the head is next 

 detached from the neck, and by a few upward and downward motions 

 is made to slide off in front, the long, thread-like antennae being 

 drawn out of their sheaths with great care, in constantly lengthening 

 loops, the palpi affording much assistance in pushing the old skin 

 downward. After the head and antennre are entirely freed the insect 

 remains for a short time motionless, as if to recover from its exertions. 

 Very soon, however, it renews its efforts in a series of rapid jerks and 

 contractions by which the body is impelled forward while the outgrown 

 skin is held firmly in place by the claws of the middle and posterior 

 legs, which remain fixed in the wood. The most difficult part of the 

 whole process seems to be the extrication of the front legs. This once 

 accomplished, the Katydid has something to grasp with, and experi- 

 ences no further trouble in withdrawing the body and the remaining 

 legs from the old integument, often leaving the latter, as an almost 

 transparent shell, in perfect shape upon the twig. It is not allowed 

 to remain long, however, as an object of curiosity, for almost the first 

 efforts of the transformed insect are directed to the task of eating up 

 this, its out-grown and out-worn garment. 



When first out of its pupal covering, the wings of the mature 

 insect hang down on each side as flexible and shapeless as strips of 

 dampened lace, but they soon begin to dry and harden, and are, by 

 degrees, drawn up into place. Tne anterior pair, which were at first 

 transparent, become gradually green and opaque, and display the 

 characteristic leaf-like veinings; while the broad under- wings, formed 

 of transparent membrane intersected by an exquisite net-work of 

 green veins, are folded fan-like beneath them, with only the tips, for 

 about a third of an inch, visible, this portion being green and thick- 

 ened like the wing-covers. The whole operation of molting is per- 

 formed within an hour. 



The first notes from this Katydid are heard about the middle of 

 July, and the species is in full song by the first of August. The wing- 



