222 HEMIPTERA. 



fly to another limb and settle there, in the same position as 

 before. They never sit across the limbs, but always in the 

 direction of their length, with the head or forepart of the 

 body towards the extremity of the branches. On account 

 of their peculiar form, which is that of a thick cone with a 

 very oblique direction, their dark color, and their fixed pos- 

 ture while perching, they would readily be mistaken for the 

 thorns of the tree, a circumstance undoubtedly intended for 

 their preservation. Other instances have been mentioned 

 displaying proofs of equal wisdom in the formation of insects. 

 Thus, in the leaf-insects, grasshoppers, and walking-sticks, 

 which live in trees, the latter exactly simulating a little twig 

 in appearance, and the others having the form and color of 

 leaves, their resemblance to the objects among which they 

 have been destined to live has doubtless been given to them 

 with the express design of screening them from then- enemies 

 of the feathered race. Many other examples of the same 

 kind might be mentioned, did time and the limits of my 

 subject warrant ; but these alone suffice to show that special 

 provision has been wisely made in the construction of cer- 

 tain defenceless animals with a view to secure them from 

 observation. Surely insects, the most despised of God's 

 creation, are not unworthy our study, since they are objects 

 of His care and subjects of a special providence. 



But to return to our locust tree-hopper, which remains 

 to be described ; — it measures about half an inch from the 

 tip of the horn to the end of the body ; the male is black- 

 ish above, ■with a long yellow spot on each side of the back ; 

 and the female is ash-colored, and without spots. While on 

 the trees, these insects, though perfectly still, are not unem- 

 ployed ; but puncture the bark with their sharp and slender 

 beaks, and imbibe the sap for nourishment. The female 

 also appears to commit her eggs to the protection of the 

 tree, being furnished with a piercer beneath the extremity 

 of her body, with which to make suitable perforations in the 

 branches. As I have never seen the young on these trees. 



