314 INSECTS. ORTHOPTEEA. 



circular or orbicular thorax ; maxillary palpi long, and ter- 

 minated by a joint in the form of an elongated axe ; feet 

 spinous. 



The females in this and the two following families inclose their eggs in a cellular 

 cocoon formed of a substance secreted by the animal. The Blattse are nocturnal 

 insects. Some live in the interior of houses, particularly kitchens, mills, and gra- 

 naries, and others in the fields. They are very voracious. 

 Gen. BLATTA, KAKERLAC. 



Gen. BLATTA, Lin. 



Antennae longer than the body, setaceous, inserted near the in- 

 terior margin of the eyes, the joints numerous, very short 

 and not distinct ; feet proper for walking ; abdomen termi- 

 nated by two short appendages ; elytra horizontal ; body oval, 

 flattened ; head triangular, inclined. 



B. orientalis, Lin. Body deep brown above,, paler below ; head 

 small, almost entirely concealed by the thorax ; elytra and wings 

 a little shorter than the body ; the females apterous ; feet spi- 

 nous., the posterior ones longer than the others. 10 lines long. 

 Inhabits Europe. Lat. Gen. iii. 83. 

 This species, originally from the Levant, is now spread over all Europe. It is 



found in houses, particularly kitchens, granaries, and mills. The B. gigantea, the 



Cockroach, is well known for its depredations on ship stores. 



FAMILY III. MANTIDES. 



Tarsi of five joints ; wings simply folded longitudinally ; body 

 elongated, with the head uncovered, and the palpi short and 

 filiform ; the two anterior feet much larger than the others, 

 with long haunches, strong and compressed thighs, and the 

 legs terminated by a strong hook, capable of being folded un- 

 der the thighs ; thorax large. 



Gen. EMPUSA, MANTIS. 



Gen. MANTIS, Lin. Lat. 



Body narrow and elongated ; head uncovered ; the two ante- 

 rior feet much larger than the others, with the haunches long, 

 the thighs stout, compressed, and armed with spines below, 

 and the legs dentated and terminated by a strong hook ; 

 thorax elongated, narrow ; antennae setaceous, simple in both 

 sexes ; forehead prolonged like a horn. 



The insects of this genus are only found in warm countries. In Europe there are 

 but four or five species. In the south of France the most common species is named 

 prie-dicu, from its habit of raising its fore-legs continually, and joining them toge- 

 ther as if praying. 



M. religiosa, Lin. Body green, with a small dorsal carina ; lateral 

 margins reddish yellow, slightly dentated ; elytra faintly bordered 

 with yellowish ; anterior legs with a blackish blue spot on the 

 internal side of the haunches ; legs reddish. Nearly 2 inches 

 long. Inhabits the south of France. Shaw, vi. pi. 42. 



FAMILY IV. SPECTRA. 

 Inferior lip with unequal divisions ; upper lip notched at its 



