30 TRUE TALES OF THE INSECTS. 



Beautiful Examples of Special Resemblance. 



It is the tropical plant-types that present in a wonder- 

 fully perfect degree the phenomenon of Protective and 

 Aggressive resemblance, not by colour merely, repro- 

 ducing the general effect of the surroundings ; the 

 resemblance may be strikingly special, in which the 

 appearance of some particular vegetative object is more 

 or less exactly copied in colour, and also in outline and 

 shape. Certain mantidse have the veining of their wings 

 modified so as precisely to imitate that of a leaf. The 

 body in mantidae, no less than that in walking-sticks, is 

 subject to carry appendages, giving rise to most bizarre 

 forms, which imitate parts of plants. But the resem- 

 blance is not produced by the same contrivances as 

 among Phasmidae. Here it is in general the prothorax 

 that dilates in the form of a leaf (Cheer adodis, Epaphro- 

 ditd] ; or the elytra have a cut-out outline (Deroplatys), 

 or expand beyond measure (Stagmatoptera, Cardioptera\ 

 producing a marvellous resemblance to great leaves with 

 their nervures. It is hardly possible to conceive vege- 

 table appearances more grotesque than those brought 

 about by the development of a number of foliaceous 

 lobes with which the legs, the body, and head are 

 adorned (Gongylus) ; or when the insects even associate 

 certain postures with their appendages, so as to resemble 

 follicular fruits, or packets of leaflets {Acanthops). 



