THE 
ENTOMOLOGY OF AUSTRALIA. 
The insects now brought before the public, form one of the most curious 
and singular families of the Orthopterous order, and are termed Phasmidse, or 
Spectres. They belong to the first section, Cursoria, or Walkers, and differ 
very much from the other family of the same section, termed Mantidse, or 
Mantes, in having their fore legs similar in form to the four hind ones ; whilst 
those of the latter are raptorious; that is to say, having the fore femora or 
thighs very strong, projecting straight forwards, with a channel for the recep¬ 
tion of the tibiae or shanks, which are inflexed, and both armed with a double 
series of spurs. They differ from the second section, Saltatoria, or Leapers, 
in having their hind legs of moderate length, and not formed for leaping ; and 
also in the tegmina or fore wings being much shorter than the wings. The 
mouth of the insects of this order is provided with four unequal palpi or 
feelers ; the two fore or maxillary feelers are longest, and five-jointed ; the two 
hind or labial feelers are shorter than the others, and three-jointed; they are 
generally compressed, with the last joints of all truncated at their ends. 
Like all the Orthopterous insects, they undergo three active changes after 
they are hatched. In their first or larva stage they are of a long cylindrical 
form, with six thick legs, and without any appearance of wings, which makes 
them so similar to the apterous or wingless species, forming the last division 
