CHAPTEE IX 



OETHOPTERA CONTINUED BLATTIDAE, COCKROACHES 



Fam. III. Blattidae — Cockroaches. 



Ortlwptera with the head deflexecl, in repose concealed from above, 

 being flexed on to the uncler-surface with the ctnterior part 

 directed bctckivctrcls. All the coxae large, free, entirely cover- 

 ing the sternal surfaces of the three thoracic segments, as well 

 as the base of the abdomen. The sterncd sclerites of the 

 thorcwic segments little developed, being vjeak cmcl consisting 

 of pieces that do not form a continuous exo-skeleton ; tegmina 

 and wings extremely variable, sometimes entirely absent. 

 The wings possess a definite anal region capcdjle of fan-like 

 folding ; rarely the tving is also transversely folded. The 

 three pairs of legs differ but little from one another. 



Fig. 118. — Ileterogamia 

 aegyptiaca. A, male ; 

 B, female. (After 

 Brunner.) 



The Blattidae, or cockroaches, are an extensive family of 

 Insects, very much neglected by collectors, and known to the 

 ordinary observer chiefly from the fact that a few species have 



