OF NATURAL HISTORY. gi 



and do not meet In a direO: line, forming a ridge or future, as in 

 the beetle tribe. The whole of this order are furnilhed with a pro- 

 bofcis or trunk for extrading their food. 



This order comprehends feveral genera or kinds, fome of which 

 we fliall mention in a ciirfory manner. — The blatta, or cockroach, is 

 an animal which avoids the light, and is particularly fond of meal, 

 bread, putrid bodies, and the roots of plants. It frequents bakers 

 fhops and cellars, and flies the approach of danger with great fwift- 

 nefs. — The head of the mantis, or camel- cricket, appears, from Its 

 continual nodding motion, to be flightly attached to the thorax. 

 This infed is regarded by the Africans as a facred animal ; becaufe 

 it frequently aiTumes a praying or fupplicating pofture, by refting 

 on its hind feet, and elevating and folding the firft pair. — The gryl- 

 lus comprehends a number of fpecies, fome of which are called 

 gr a/shoppers, others locujis, and others crickets. The larvae, or ca- 

 terpillars of the grylli, have a great refemblance to the perfed in- 

 fers, and, in general, live under ground. Many of thefe infefts 

 feed upon the leaves of plants. Others, which live in houfes, prefer 

 bread, and every kind of farinaceous fubftance. — Thefidgora, or fire- 

 fly : The foreheads of feveral of this genus, efpecially of thofe that 

 inhabit China, and other hot climates, emit a very lively fhining light 

 during the night, which often alarms thofe who are unacquainted with 

 the caufe of the appearance. — The cicada, frog-hopper, ox flea-locujl : 

 The larvae, or caterpillars, of fome of this genus, difcharge a kind 

 of froth or faliva from the anus and pores of the body, under which 

 they conceal themfelves from the rapacity of birds and other ene- 

 mies.'— The papa or -water Jcorpion, frequents ftagnant waters. It 

 lives chiefly on aquatic infeds, and is exceedingly voracious. — The 

 cimex or bug : Many ipecies of this genus feed upon the juices of 

 plants, and others upon the blood of animals. Some of them are 

 , M 2. found. 



