HEMIPTERA. 155 



comically grotesque in appearance. In general outline 

 they resemble beech-nuts, except that many have humps on 

 their backs. The prothorax is prolonged back- 

 ward like a roof over the body, often quite covering 

 it. If the young entomologist wishes to laugh, let 

 him look at the faces of tree-hoppers through a 

 lens (Fig. 190). Their eyes always have a keen, F ^;^ I9 J M 7 

 droll look, and the line that separates the head baluSm 

 from the prothorax gives them the appearance of wearing 

 glasses. In some cases the prothorax is elevated 

 above the head, so that it looks like a peaked 

 nightcap ; in others it is shaped like a Tam-o'- 

 Y ^henop^fin- Shanter ; and sometimes it has horns, one on each 

 side, which have given one species the name of 

 the Buffalo Tree-hopper. 



Many species of this family live upon bushes or small 

 trees, and are all good leapers ; hence the com- 

 mon name, Tree-hoppers. Some species ex- 

 crete honey-dew, and are attended by ants. ^^ 

 All feed upon plants, but they seldom appear FlG . I94 ._7>/a- 

 in sufficient numbers to do much damage. 



The accompanying figures will show some of the more 

 common forms seen in this strange family (Figs. 191-194). 



Family PSYLLIM: (Psyl'li-dae). 

 The Jumping Plant-lice, 

 The jumping plant-lice are comparatively small insects; 

 our more common species measuring only from one-eighth 

 to one-sixth inch in length, and it is rare that we find any 

 twice that size. When examined with a lens 

 they appear like tiny Cicadas (Fig. 195). 

 Their hind legs are formed for jumping ; their 

 antennae are nine or ten jointed, and their 

 tarsi are only two-jointed. Figure 197 repre- 

 sents the wings of a common species. 

 FlG en?ir7e P d Sylla ' The Psyllidae subsist entirely upon the 



