FAMILY IV.—WALKING-STICKS.

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wait patiently for insects to come near, when they suddenlychange their praying position to a preying one, and seizetheir unsuspecting victim with their terrible arms.

The eggs, which are laid in peculiar clusters on twigsand fences, are also encased in flattened ootheca, differingfrom those of the cockroaches by being composed of hardenedsilky matter. The ridiculous looking young insects are can-nibals, and the old ones are the worst fighters on record,beating even the celebrated Kilkenny cats.

FAMILY IV.

WALKING-STICKS.

( Phasmidse *).

This family is also best represented in the tropics, wherenumerous species occur. Most of them possess very strangeforms; some resemble fresh and green leaves, others looktke old and withered ones, and still others resemble twigsvery closely. The famous “ Walking-leaf” is an insect thatbelongs to this family. On account of these peculiar shapes,insects of this kind are not readily seen, and thus escapetheir enemies among the feathered tribe. All are strictlyvegetable feeders, hence can become injurious when found inlarge numbers upon useful plants. Several species occur inthe United States , and one, which is illustrated in Fig. 61,is found in Minnesota .

Our American insects are spectre-like beings, possessinga linear body furnished with long legs and antennae. Yetnotwithstanding their long legs they are exceedingly slowin all their motions, and remain for a long time stationary.

Unlike other orthoptera mentioned thus far, their largeand oval eggs are laid singly, not united with others in acapsule.

GENUS Diapheromera Gray.

Body long, slender and cylindrical. Head oval andslightly inclined. Antennas long, slender, and composed of

*Phasma,.su8pectre.