A 'N'EW Beneficial Insect in America. 55 



head beneath her front legs, and approved by standing more erect 

 and spreading and closing her wings. We hope our 'New York 

 Mantid may possess this prophetic power ! 



From the great resemblance of many species of Mantids to the 

 leaves of trees, some early travelers declared that they saw the 

 leaves of the trees become living creatures and take flight ; the 

 Indians of Surinam in the last century are said to have believed 

 that these insects grew like leaves upon the trees, and when they 

 were mature, loosened themselves and crawled or flew away. Piso, 

 in his works, states that Mantids " change iitto a green and tender 

 plant, which is of two hands' breadth. The feet are fixed into the 

 ground first ; from these, when necessary, humidity is attracted, 

 roots grow out and strike into the ground ; thus they change by 

 degrees, and in a short time became a perfect plant." What strange 

 fancies, these ! 



Cowan (Curious Facts in the History of Insects, p. 83) states that 

 " the Mantis was observed by the Greeks in soothsayhig ; and the 

 Hindoos displayed the same reverential consideration of its move- 

 ments and flight. But, in modern times, the superstition respecting 

 the sanctity of the Mantis begins in Southern Europe, and is found 

 in almost every other quarter of the globe, at least Avherever a 

 characteristic species of the insect is found. In many localities it 

 is considered a great crime to injure the Mantis, and, at least a very 

 culpable neglect not to place it out of the way of any danger to 

 which it seems exposed." We hope this idea may prevail in the 

 minds of school children and others who may be fortunate enough 

 to meet our ^ew York Mantis. Cowan further states that '' the 

 Turks and other Moslems have been much impressed by the action 

 of the common Jfantis religiosa, which greatly resemble some of 

 their own attitudes of prayer. They readily recognize intelligence 

 and pious intentions in its actions, and accordingly treat it with 

 respect and attention, not indeed as in itself an object of reverence 

 or superstition, but as fellow-worshipper of God, whom they 

 believe that all creatures praise with more or less consciousness and 

 intelligence. 



" Other superstitions with respect to the Mantis are : When the 

 Mantis kneels it sees an angel in the way, or hears the rustle of its 



