LEFEBVRE ON MANTIS. 



75 



several species peculiar to Senegal. Of Orthoptera, the 

 beautiful Truxalis grandis of Kley, the Blephar'is mendica, 

 &c. are in motion, with multitudes of Acridiens. Hymetioptera 

 are no less abundant ; the Pompili and the Xijlocopce are 

 buzzing about in thousands. Quantities of the handsome 

 Scol'ics, among others the pretty Eriophora of Klug, and 

 Vestita, were plentiful when I was there ; and in this numerous 

 order, as in all the others, I met with the major part of the 

 species figured in the work on Egypt, and in the Symbolce 

 Physicce of Klug and Ehrenberg. The abundance of water 

 attracts crowds of Neuroptera and Diptera, amongst which I 

 met with some new and beautiful species. 



The Tipulce were in such numbers that their swarms render 

 a residence in this oasis most cruel to an European newly 

 arrived. But it is only for a time; for I remarked here, as in 

 Sicily, when at Augusta, in the vicinity of the pestilential 

 marshes of Lentini, that toll once taken by these little vampires, 

 they leave you at last easy enough ; but nothing can equal the 

 sanguinary pertinacity with which they fall upon the new 

 comer, the purgatory they make him endure, and from which 

 he in vain attempts to escape. Fire only, instead of attracting 

 them, drives them from the tents. 



In other respects, this oasis (undoubtedly the Oasis Minor of 

 the Romans, for a triumphal arch, coins, &c. seem to prove it,) 

 is a sweet and tranquil residence, as much from the absence of 

 wild beasts as from the peaceable character of its inhabitants, 

 and their easy means of subsistence, notwithstanding the small 

 number of cattle which they possess. Any one who could 

 reside there some time would assuredly, at least in entomology, 

 make a most valuable and abundant collection, and which 

 would have a much greater interest if he should extend his 

 excursions to the other oasis of the south. 



Note III. 



I can only speak of the Pupa; and I do not know if the 

 perfect insect is susceptible of the same changes. What I say 

 here upon the colour and means of living of these insects I do 

 not mean to apply to other Eremiaphilce. which have been sent 

 me, as I am totally ignorant of the circumstances under which 

 they have been found. 



