84 OETHOPTEKA. 



Phasmidce possess the same power to a greater or less extent ; and 

 one of the South African species is stated to be able to eject an 

 offensive fluid to a distance of five feet. The genus Phyllium, 

 Latr., includes several East Indian species which are known as 

 Leaf Insects, the whole insect being remarkably leaf-like, and even 

 the legs being furnished with broad leaf-like appendages. The 

 Phasmidce are sluggish insects, as may be perceived from their 

 organisation, and chiefly inhabit tropical countries; but a few 

 slender apterous green or brown species, measuring about two or 

 three inches in length, and belonging to the genus Bacillus, Latr., 

 are met with in South Europe. Many of the large tropical Phas- 

 midce measure nearly a foot in length. 



FAMILY V. Achetidce. 



Antennae long and'slender; hind legs long; the femora thickened, 

 and formed for leaping ; wings laid flat over the back, and often 

 projecting beyond the abdomen, which is furnished with two long 

 setae ; ovipositor prominent ; tarsi generally three-jointed. 



Of this family, which includes the Crickets, we have only five 

 species in England, the best known being the House Cricket 

 (Acheta Domestica, Linn.), a brown species found in houses; the 

 Field Cricket (A. Campestris, Linn.), a black species, found on 

 heaths, etc. ; and the Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpa Fulgaris, Linn.), a 

 brown species, twice as large as the others, which burrows in loose 

 soil, and is sometimes very destructive in fields and gardens ; it is 

 remarkable for the peculiar shape of its front legs, which are exactly 

 like those of a mole. 



Some of the foreign species of Achetidce are of very remarkable 

 forms. Schizodactylus Monstrosus, Linn., which is common in India, 

 is a brown species, measuring more than an inch and a half in 

 length ; the tegmina and wings are much longer than the body, 

 and are rolled up in spirals when not expanded ; the tibiae are 

 spiny, and the tarsi are provided with leaf-like expansions. Many 

 crickets are apterous, among which are the large heavy species 

 belonging to the genera Cattimenus, Fisch., and Brachyporus, 

 Charp., which resemble gigantic woodlice, or rather, perhaps, 

 shells of the genus Chiton in shape. The largest of all the crickets 

 are perhaps the brown species belonging to the genus Deinacrida, 

 White, which are found on trees in New Zealand. They are some- 

 times four or five inches in length, and their legs are very large, and 

 set with rows of very formidable spines, resembling those pf a brier. 



