220 



INSECT LIFE. 



^ 



Fig. 187. 



all the prothorax is prolonged backward like a roof 

 over the body (Fig. 187). A common species bears a 

 pair of hornlike projections, which have giv- 

 en it the name of the buffalo 

 tree-hopper (Fig. 188); and an- 

 other common species (Fig. 

 189) excretes honey-dew, and 

 is attended by ants. If the 

 young entomologist wishes to laugh, let him look at 

 the faces of tree-hoppers through a lens. A front 

 view of several of these insect-Brownies is 

 given in Fig. 190. Their eyes have a keen, 

 droll look, and the line that separates the 

 iG. 189. jjgg^jj from the prothorax gives them the 

 appearance of wearing glasses. In some cases the 

 prothorax is elevated above the head, so that it looks 



Fig. 190. — Tree-hoppers or Brownie-bugs. 



like a peaked nightcap ; in others it is shaped like a 

 Tam-o'-shanter ; while cithers have prominent horns. 

 The tree-hoppers feed upon plants, but. they sel- 

 dom appear in sufficient numbers to do much damage. 

 They constitute the family MembraciD/E (Mem-brac'- 

 i-dae) of the order Hemiptera. 



