Part 17

See, the upper wings are different; the cockroach does not fly with them, he merely uses them to cover up the under wings, and we call them wing covers.

It is the under wings the cockroach flies with.

Cockroaches may not be pleasant, but who can say they are not interesting?

What other insect lays its eggs in little bandboxes?

Here is one of the little boxes, shiny and hard.

This little case is at first a sticky substance that soon hardens. The eggs lie in it side by side in two rows.

These cases remain attached to the abdomen of the female cockroach until the eggs are all laid. Then the case falls off, and soon out runs a crowd of infant cockroaches.

The case is something like a satchel that shuts with a spring. The youngsters are packed close together, side by side, with their heads towards the mouth of the satchel.

As soon as one hatches it pushes open the side of the case and creeps out. Then the case springs together again to protect the rest of the brood.

They are funny fellows when they first come out, little and white-looking. But they eat and grow of course, and shed their skins, and after each moult they become darker in color.

Now, do look again at this cockroach I have taken such pains to catch for you and put into the tumbler.

I think even May will own that it has a cunning little head.

See it turn its head around to look at us.

After all, the cockroach is a knowing little fellow.

This one is hungry; it has had nothing to eat for some time. We will give it this crumb of cake.

Be careful, or it will get away; it can run very fast, and it is very quick, you see, in all its motions.

Ah, it is examining the crumb with the tips of its long antennae.

See how daintily it touches the crumb.

It can smell with its antennae, you know.

Now it has decided the cake is good to eat.

See how eager it is!

It almost stands on its head to reach just the part it wants.

John says he does not understand how insects smell with their antennae.

I can tell you a little about it, John.

If you look at one of the cockroach's antennae under the magnifying glass, you will see it is made up of a good many short pieces, or segments, as we call them, fastened together end to end.

Yes, Mollie, that is why it can move about so easily. It can curl up like a whiplash, you see.

Next the head is a round segment that fits into a socket.

Double up your right fist and fit it into the half-closed palm of your left hand.