The Leaf-Insect. 125 



that it is not surprising that they escape the 

 observation of their enemies. 



The leaf -insects are most singular; the head 

 and part of the thorax form a stalk, while the 

 abdomen, which is flat, thin, and much dilated, 

 exactly resembles a leaf. The legs, which are six 

 in number, have broad membranous appendages 

 on the thighs, and these are especially noticeable 

 on the fore-legs; the result being that the 

 creature, while resting immovable, has the 

 appearance of a leaf which has been gnawed on 

 both sides by a caterpillar. In the insect at 

 the Zoo this resemblance is most exact, and the 

 illusion is heightened by the colouring, which 

 makes it appear slightly withered at the edges. 



It is the habit of the insect to hang back 

 downwards, with the abdomen slightly curled up, 

 and, to quote Mr. Murray, " this habit brings to 

 light another beautiful contrivance for still further 

 heightening its resemblance to a leaf. The upper 

 surface is opaque green, the under surface glossy 

 glittering green, just the reverse of the myrtle 

 or guava leaf, so that by reversing its position, 

 it brings the glossy side up and the dull side 

 down." 



The eggs of the Phasimida9, which are few in 

 number, are large, and covered with a horny 

 shell, at the end of which there is a distinct 

 operculum, and are deposited singly. The insect 

 attains a considerable amount of development 

 before emerging. Mr. Murray tells us that, " after 



