[ =93 3 



THE BLACK-HEADED FROGHOPPER *. 



The larvss or grubs of this insect are well known 

 as discharging from their bodies, upon the branches 

 and leaves of plants, a kind of frothy matter, called 

 by the country people in many parts of England 

 Cuckoo-spit. In the midst of this they constantly re- 

 side, probably for shelter against the rapacity of 

 such stronger insects as would otherwise prey upon 

 them. Nature seems to have afforded this kind of 

 defence to the insects, as their naked and soft bodies 

 might otherwise very easily be injured j perhaps also 

 the moisture of this foam may serve to screen them 

 from the sultry beams of the sun. On removing the 

 foam the grub is discovered underneath ? but it will 

 not remain long uncovered. It soon emits fresh foam 

 that again hides it from the eye of observation. 



It is in the midst of its foam that the larva goes 

 through its metamorphosis to a chrysalis, and a 

 winged insect. This may be observed by any person 

 who is careful enough to watch when the froth be- 

 gins a little to subside. At this time he must put the 

 insect with its leaf under a glass. The froth, dege- 

 nerating to a white film, fixes the creature to the 

 Jeaf : soon after this the fly may be seen first put- 

 ting out its head, and afterwards by degrees its 

 body. As soon as the fore-part is out, a small pro- 

 tuberance will be perceived on each side, which, 



+ Synonyms.-— Cicada spumaria. Linn. — Cercropis spumaria. Fa- 

 tricius. i Cuckoo spit or Froth-worm. 



