126 The Leaf-Insect. 



having reached the form of a six-legged, jointed 

 insect, it emerges from the egg by pushing off the 

 lid. It comes out middle foremost that is, its 

 head and tail are packed downwards so as to meet 

 each other. The back between these first appears, 

 and they are drawn out next ; the legs are extri- 

 cated last. The colour of the insect at this stage 

 is a reddish yellow, something of the hue of a 

 half-dried beech leaf ; for it is to be observed 

 that, although the colour of the insect varies at 

 different periods of its life, it always more or less 

 resembles a leaf at some stage. When it has once 

 settled to eat the leaves on which it is placed, the 

 body speedily becomes bright green." 



The leaf-insect at the Zoo is confined in a glass 

 case in the Insect-house facing the door, and is 

 supplied with a small orange tree on which to 

 rest ; the orange is, however, not one of its food- 

 plants, as it refuses to eat the leaves. On its first 

 arrival considerable difficulty was experienced, as 

 the proper plant on which to feed it was unknown, 

 and though many experiments were made they 

 were unsuccessful, as the insect refused everything 

 that was offered to it. At length, however, a dry 

 leaf, discovered in the box in which it arrived, was 

 referred to the authorities at Kew Gardens, who 

 solved the mystery, and it is now supplied with 

 its proper food, and, we believe, feeds well. 



Specimens of the leaf-insect are not uncommon 

 in collections ; but, after death, the green colour is 

 lost, and the whole insect acquires a yellowish- 



