of its genus, two wings folded lengthwise under the parchment-like elytra, or wing-covers, it is unable to fly because of their rudimentary nature. Often the females have nothing but the merest indications of wings. Other kinds, especially those of tropical countries, are far more troublesome by reason of the frequent use of their fully-developed wings. Flying cockroaches seem the perfection of loathsome vermin. The female is much larger than the male, has a larger appetite also, and is more active. distinguished because her ugly flat almost to sweep the ground as she goes along on the legs which in the family to which she belongs are especially adapted for running. The gentleman has a narrower body, and walks more sedately, elevating himself above the ground on his rather longer legs. She is easily body seems When about to become a mother, the lady forms, from a secretion of her body, a kind of broad capsule containing sixteen compartments, eight on either side a horizontal centre partition. In each of these sixteen cells she lays an egg, and, when the number is complete, cements the top serrated edges together, and deposits her cargo in a convenient place, securing it with a kind of glue to the spot. In a short time the eggs are hatched, and the larvæ, or young cockroaches, moisten the cement with their saliva, the capsule opens, and the ugly little white insects, with their black bead-like eyes, come out of their prison, and run about in search of food. In shape they differ very little from their parents except that they have no indication of wings. They devour everything before them in the shape of starchy food, until their skins become too small for their rapidly increasing bodies, and the process of moulting is undergone. Seven J times a cockroach changes its skin before it becomes a perfect insect, and it is said to arrive at its imago state when about four years old. After each moult the insect remains perfectly white for a few hours. We gather from this account of the progressive stages of a cockroach's life that it does not pass through the changes that most insects undergo. It is lively throughout the whole of its existence. Now all the beetle tribe go through a complete metamorphosis that is, are first eggs, then grubs, then chrysalids, then perfect beetles. Therefore it is that the term "black-beetle" is misapplied when speaking of the cockroach. Not only mankind, but every other creature seems to be at enmity with it. In fact it has no friends, unless the creatures who devour its foes may be said to rank as friends. Hedgehogs eat cockroaches, cats relish them, birds snap them up, mice and rats occasionally make a good meal from them. Perhaps, however, their worst enemies take the form of a mass of brown dust which is often seen on their backs. How they struggle to get rid of their unwelcome burden! It is like the old man of the sea: it gets heavier and heavier and sticks on faster and faster. This heap of brown dust is a collection of parasites which infest cockroaches and suck their very life's blood. This death is most likely attended by suffering, but we are hard-hearted enough to wish that many more than do would fall victims to the bloodthirsty mites. Historically speaking the cockroach is the most ancient of the insect tribe. About eighty species have been found fossilised in certain strata. It also ranks, by reason of its elementary structure, among the most primitive of our insects. We feel inclined to say that it is a survival of the unfittest; at any rate, wherein its value lies remains to be discovered. It is said that cockroaches were first brought to England in the trading vessels coming through the Mediterranean. There is no rose without a thorn; so that we must console ourselves for their existence among us by reflecting on the wealth with which our great merchant service has endowed our well-loved land. "More hideous foes than fancy can devise ; THE DADDY LONG-LEGS. THERE is an insect which we often regard with a certain amount of affection, not because of the beauty of its appearance, but because of the sweet childlife and enjoyment its ungainly form brings to mind. With what excitement and clapping of tiny hands was "Daddy Longlegs" hailed in those childish days when small things charmed, and life seemed almost made up of happiness. Troubles, when they came, were very terrible, but the remembrance of them did not live long, neither were the marks left engraven on the brow. To see a |