INSECTS 381 



popular notion that these insects are in the habit of entering the 

 human ear, for this does not appear to be the case, and though 

 it is true that the hind-wings are strikingly ear-shaped, they are 

 so rarely seen unfolded that it may be doubted whether this has 

 to do with the name "earwig". 



Cockroaches are widely distributed insects, especially common 

 in tropical regions. Only three small species appear to be indi- 

 genous to Britain, for the familiar " black beetle " is undoubtedly 

 an importation. Some of the exotic species are brightly coloured, 

 while others are wingless. 



Soothsayers or Praying-Insects form a remarkable group de- 

 pendent upon a warm climate, and often assuming the most 

 extraordinary forms, calculated in many cases to harmonize with 

 the surroundings, being thus rendered inconspicuous to their 

 prey, which consists of other insects. The front-legs are modified 

 into seizing-organs, and it is the curious way in which these are 

 extended that has given rise to the common names, as, e.g., 

 that of Praying Mantis {Mantis religiosd) applied to a French 

 species, the only European one found at any great distance from 

 the Mediterranean shores. A Mantis in such an attitude is, how- 

 ever, merely on the look-out for insects, and not in a prophetic 

 or devout frame of mind. 



Stick- and Leaf-Insects assume even more remarkable forms 

 than the members of the preceding family, and mostly have a 

 close resemblance to sticks, leaves, pieces of bark, and other 

 parts of plants, which in this case may be looked upon as a 

 protective arrangement, for, unlike the Soothsayers, they affect 

 a vegetable diet. They are widely distributed through the 

 warmer parts of the globe, and some of them may be as much 

 as 9 inches long. 



2. Leaping Orthoptera, in accordance with their habit of 

 springing, possess very large hind-legs. Remarkable structures 

 related to hearing are usually present, and the males generally 

 possess musical organs as well. Three families are recognized — 

 Locusts and Grasshoppers, Green Grasshoppers, and Crickets. 



Locusts and Grasshoppers are distinguished by the shortness 

 of their antennae and the presence of auditory organs in the first 

 segment of the abdomen. The familiar little grasshoppers of 

 British fields represent a number of species of varying size, some of 

 the larger belonging to the genera Stenobothrus and Gomphocerus, 



