HOMOPTERA. 427 
threads, the precise force which makes the leaf assume its cylindrical form is as yet undis. 
covered. The caterpillar lives within, and feeds upon the rolled portion of the leaf, thus sur- 
passing the feat of Ascanius recorded in the ‘‘ Mneid.’’ The fore wings are golden-brown, 
with pale brown transverse markings, and the hinder pair are edged with long grayish fringes. 
The larva feeds on the ash and privet as well as on the lilac. 
Our last example of the Lepidoptera is the beautiful Wurirr-PpLuME Mors, an insect 
which never fails to attract attention, on account of the singular elegance and beauty of its 
form. 
This insect belongs to a small family which is remarkable for the fact, that, except in one 
genus, the wings, instead of being broad membranous structures, are cleft into narrow rays, 
feathered ina most soft and delicate manner. The White-plume Moth is to be seen in the 
evenings, flying in a curious, uncertain manner, and looking not unlike a snow-flake blown 
casually by the wind. It seems never to fly to any great distance, settling quite openly on 
leaves or plants, without taking the precaution of clinging to the under side, as is the custom 
with so many of the smaller moths. When it rests, it folds the wings so that they only look 
like a single broad ray. The legs of this moth are very long and slender. The color of this 
insect is pure white. 
An allied insect, the Twenty-pLuME Morn (Alicita hexadactyla), has its wings cleft 
into a great number of plumes, thus giving rise to its popular name. In reality, there are 
twenty-four plumes, each of the fore wings being cleft into eight divisions, and the hinder 
wings into four. It is much smaller than the White Plume, and is fond of haunting houses, 
where it may be seen moving up and down the window panes with much agility. Autumn is 
the best time for finding this little moth. Its general color is ashen-gray, with two darkish 
bands and a white fringe. 
HOMOPTERA. 
In the next order are comprised some very grotesque insects, some of which have been 
thought to belong to other orders, and a few not being known to be insects at all until 
comparatively late years. ‘They have rounded bodies, not more than three joints in the tarsi, 
and their wings are four in number, wholly membranous, the fore pair being larger than the 
hinder, but not overlapping in repose. The mouth forms a kind of tube, sometimes nearly as 
long as the body, and often sufficiently hard and stiff to pierce the skin. 
In this curious order are placed the Aphides, those little green insects that swarm upon 
roses and other plants, and are termed ‘‘blights’’ by gardeners, who employ that term in a 
strangely wide sense ; the Cicadee, with their beautiful membranous wings, their large heads, 
and their loud voices ; the tribe of Hoppers, of which the Cuckoo Spit inseet, known in its 
perfect state under the name of Frog-hopper, and the beautiful Scarlet Hopper, are familiar 
examples ; the wonderful Lantern-flies, also leapers, which are found only in hot climates ; 
the Wax Insects of China; and lastly, the Seale Insects, or Coccidee, from which the ‘‘ lac,” 
so important in commerce, is obtained. 
The Cicadee, which are represented in the accompanying oleograph, have three joints to 
their feet, these members affording useful characteristics in settling the precise position of the 
various species. They are very large insects, sometimes measuring more than six inches 
between the tips of the expanded wings. Their mouth or beak is three-jointed and very long, 
being tucked under the body when not required. The females are furnished with a curious 
apparatus, by which they are enabled to cut grooves in the branches of trees for the purpose 
of depositing their eggs therein, and which is clearly analogous to the instrument possessed 
by the saw-flies. On the under side of the body, and nearly at the extremity, are seen a pair 
of jointed valves, which form the scabbard to the boring instrument. At first sight, the borer 
