LEAF INSECTS. 



TCI 



FIG. 89. EARWIG ON THE WING. 



is given to them on account of the beautiful 

 manner in which their hinder wings are folded 

 up when at rest under their elytra. The ap- 

 pearance of these elegant wings, when ex- 

 panded, is represented in the annexed figure 

 (Fig. 89); when closed, they are curiously 

 packed into a sixth part of their ample breadth. 

 These insects do much injury in our gardens, 

 by devouring the fruit and destroying the pe- 

 tals of our favourite flowers. They manifest 

 great care and attention towards their young, 

 guarding them with parental instinct, and de- 

 fending them by means of the powerful for- 

 ceps appended to the hinder part of their body. 



The Cockroaches (Blatta), supposed to have been originally imported 

 from Asia, now swarm in this country, especially in the underground kitchens 

 of London and other large cities. They devour all kinds of provisions, and 

 even gnaw flannels, shoes, and other animal substances. They are nocturnal 

 in their habits, coming out of their holes after all has become dark and quiet, 

 and sometimes in such numbers that, if a candle be suddenly brought into a 

 room, the floor will 

 appear quite black with 

 these annoying intru- 

 ders, yet in a few mo- 

 ments all of them dis- 

 appear. The eggs of 

 these insects are en- 

 closed in an egg-case 

 of very curious struc- 

 ture, which is frequent- 

 ly to be met with in the 

 crevices of walls, be- 

 hind shutters, and in 

 similar places of con- 

 cealment ; this box the 

 iemale carries about 

 with her for some time, 

 attached to her body; 

 but at length she fixes 

 it to the selected spot 

 by means of a sort of 

 gummy cement. 



The Leaf Insects 

 (Mantis] are the most 

 i emarkable of the Cur- 

 sorial Orthoptera. No 

 Parisian manufacturer 

 of artificial flowers 

 could more success- 



FIG 90. MANTIS. 



fully imitate the productions of Flora than these insects are made to coun- 

 terfeit the branches and the foliage of the shrubs they frequent, so that while 

 in their natural haunts it is next to impossible for the most practised eye to 



