222 
HEMIP TER A. 
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 their enemies 
of the feathered race. Many other examples of the same 
kind might be mentioned, did time and the limits of my 
subject warrant; hut 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 hack; 
and the female is ash-colored, and without spots. While on 
the trees, these insects, though perfectly still, are not unem¬ 
ployed ; hut 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. 
