SUBDIVISIONS OF ORTHOPTERA. BLATTID^E. 139 



same length and adapted for walking or running, whence they 

 are named CURSORIA ; whilst in the second, the SALTATORIA, the 

 thighs of the hind-legs are of disproportionate length, and are 

 adapted for leaping. These two groups also differ in the 

 arrangement of the wing-covers and wings, when closed ; for 

 they usually rest horizontally in the body (and consequently 

 more in the manner of those of the Beetles) in the first ; whilst 

 in the second they meet at an angle, like the two sides of a roof. 

 The second section is further distinguished by the creaking 

 sound, which the males have usually the power of emitting, by 

 the friction of their legs against the body. 



665. The first section may be divided into three families, 

 which differ considerably from each other in general form, the 

 BLATTID JE, or Cockroaches ; the MANTID^E, or Mantis tribe ; 

 and the PHASMID^E, or Spectre insects. In the first of these, the 

 legs are adapted for running ; in the second, the fore-legs are 

 converted into claws for seizing the prey ; and in the third, the 

 limbs are adapted only for walking or creeping. The BLATTID^E 

 are in many respects intermediate between the Forficulidae and 

 the more typical Orthoptera ; in fact, their general resemblance 



Fio. 363. BLATTA ORJENTALIS, MALE AND FEMALE. 



to the Coleoptera occasions them to be commonly regarded as 

 Beetles. These well-known insects are now pretty generally 



