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 "iEneid." 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. 



Oue last example of the Lepidoptera is the beautiful AViiite-plume Moth, 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 wiugs, instead of being broad membranous structures, are cleft into narrow rays, 

 feathered in a 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 Moth (Alucita 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 allmntil 

 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 s'tiff 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 Cicadas, with their beautiful membranous wings, their large heads, 

 and their loud voices ; the tribe of Hoppers, of which the Cuckoo Spit insect, 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 Scale Insects, or Coccidse, from which the "lac," 

 so important in commerce, is obtained. 



The Cicadas, 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 



