BACTERIA LINEARIS. Obscurè fusca (viridis insecto viventi) pedibus
gracilibus simplicibus. (Long. Corp. 2 unc. 4½ lin.)
SYN. Mantis linearis, _Drury, App. vol._ 2. _Gray Syn. Phasm. p._ 17.
(Bacteria? l.)
HABITAT: Antigua.
This insect resembles a parcel of straws united together, being entirely
wingless, and is indeed, but incorrectly, stated by Drury to be the larva
of an insect like that at Fig. 1. Its general colour, as he was informed,
is green; but having received it in spirits, it had become of a dusky
brown colour. Head small and long, reaching almost to the fore legs. Eyes
round and black. Antennæ like hairs; being as long as the insect itself.
Body, which extends from where the hinder legs are placed, consisting of
nine segments, almost as long as the remaining part of the insect; those
legs being fixed nearly in the middle, at a small distance from whence
are placed the middle legs.
This insect belongs to a singular and numerous family, known to collectors
by the names of Spectres, or Walking-stick insects; and others,
Walking-leaves, from the strong resemblance which they exhibit to pieces of
dried sticks and detached leaves.
The insect here figured appears to be in an immature state, and would
probably in its final state have acquired wings. Our author appears to have
been aware of this, but he incorrectly describes it as the caterpillar of
an insect like that at Fig. 1.