BLATTA, or СОСКОЛОСН, a genus of insects belonging to the order of hemiptera, or such as have four semicrustaceous incumbent wings. The head of the blatta is inflected towards the breast; the antennæ, or feelers, are hard like bristles; the elytra and wings are plain, and resemble parchment; the breast is smooth, roundish, and is terminated by an edge or margin; the feet are fitted for running; and there are two small horns above the tail. This insect resembles the beetle; and there are 10 species, viz. 1. The gigantea is of livid colour, and has square brownish marks on the breast. It is found in Asia and America, and is about the size of a hen's egg. 2. The alba is red, and the margin of the breast is white. It is found in Egypt. 3. The surinamenis is livid, and the breast edged with white. It is a native of Surinam. 4. The americana is of an iron colour, and the hind part of the breast is white. The wings and elytra are longer than its body. It is found in America and the south of France. 5. The pivea is white, with yellow feelers. It is a native of America. 6. The africana is ash-coloured, and has some hairs on its breast. It is found