THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



95 



mental characteristics. There are even frequently extreme 

 difFerences between the male and the female. 



Some insects possess such an abnormal exterior that 

 they exactly resemble leaves of trees, having the same 

 venation and colouring; when they are at rest we might 



41. The Mormolyce phyllodes. 



take them for leaves, and even the greedy bird is deceived 

 by them. This is the case with some Mormolycte. In them 

 it is the wings that are transformed into green membranes, 

 which give the animal the appearance of an animated leaf. 

 Some insects again are remarkable from the strangeness 

 of their asj^ect, especially for instance the Membracea', the 

 corslets of Avhich are studded with points, plates, or most 

 fantastic knobs, which transform them into so many mon- 

 strosities. On looking at some of them one might take 

 them for an insect masquerade, a veritable sport of nature, 



