WEALTH OF INSECT LIFE 



179 



green in others. Some of these insects illustrate pro- 

 tective characteristics to a high degree in their resem- 

 blance to leaves of trees. Such forms are confined to 

 the tropics. 



" Praying mantis," " praying horse/' " mule-killer," 

 " devil horse," " rear horse," and " camel cricket " are 



FIG. 145. Full-grown mantis patiently waiting or "praying" for an oppor- 

 tunity to seize any small, unwary creature. Natural size. Photographed from 

 life by M. V. Slingerland. 



a" partial list of the terms referring to the insect repre- 

 sented in the figure. It has been called by scientists, 

 Phasmomantis Carolina. The attitude doubtless ac- 

 counts for the modifying term " praying." " Rear 

 horse " and " camel cricket " have some reference to 

 its shape. The term " mule-killer " arises from the 

 superstition that the dark-colored saliva which the in- 

 sect ejects from its mouth is fatal to the mule. It is 



