HEMIP TER A . 
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 ^«^iT 
droll look, and the line that separates the head balus% 
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’- 
¥x chenlpabit 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 fig . , 94 .— Teia- 
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 PSYLLID.E (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 cn?argcd Sylla ' The Psyllidae subsist entirely upon the 
