182 THE entomologist's record. 



and leg-cases, etc., are all highly polished, the antenna-cases, which 

 are very slender, showing faint traces of transverse striations. The 

 tips of the 3rd legs just show between the extremities of the wing-cases, 

 the antennte extend just beyond the 1st pair of legs, the space between 

 these is filled by two long angular slips, which are, I suppose, the haus- 

 tellum-cases. The shield, composed of the mouthparts, legs, antenme, 

 etc., is not entirely detached at dehiscence, presumably owing to the 

 antennje, the outer margin of which forms one of the lines of rupture, not 

 extending so far as the 2nd pair of legs. The other lines of dehiscence 

 are from base of antennae behind the head, and then backwards along the 

 median suture to posterior margin of mesothorax, and thence between 

 the meta- and mesothorax and along the suture between fore- and hind- 

 wing-cases as far as the spiracle on the 3rd abdominal segment. The 

 spiracles are rather large and distinct, but as usual narrow and slit- 

 like. 



Synopsis of the Orthoptera of Western Europe. 



By MALCOLM BURR, B.A. F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.E.S. 

 {Continued from p. 121.) 



Division : Mantidea. 



This is a vei'y extensive group, subdivided into several subfamilies, 

 occurring in every part of the world except the coolest regions. They 

 are easily recognised by the peculiar form of the anterior pair of legs 

 which are remarkably developed for catching and holding the small 

 insects which constitute their prey; the middle and hinder pair of legs 

 are weak, and only adapted for a comparatively ungainly scramble, 

 very different from the nimble run of the cockroaches and powerful 

 springs of the saltatorial section. 



They are, in general, sluggish insects, sitting for a long time in an 

 attitude of prayer, that is, with their powerful raptorial fore-legs raised 

 together in front of them, ready to seize any insect that comes within 

 range. They are frequently assimilated in a remarkable manner to 

 their environment, less, apparently, to screen themselves from foes 

 than from their prey. 



The characters of the group can be seen from the synoptical table. 



TABiiE OF Families. 

 1. Pronotum broad, not dilated over the insertion of 

 anterior coxae, the sides alniost parallel : anterior 

 tibiffi unarmed. . . . . . . OETHODERiDaa. 



1.1. Pronotum narrow, dilated over the insertion of 

 anterior coxae, narrower before and behind : 

 anterior tibiae armed with spines. 

 Feet not lobed, vertex plane or concave, antennae 



setaceous or filifoim in both sexes . . . . Mantid^;. 



2.2. Posterior femora with a lobe near the knee : 

 (abdomen laterally lobed) : vertex produced 

 into a cone : antennae pectinate in s s, and 

 Ketaceous in $ s. . . . . Empdsid-e. 



Family 1. Orthoderid.^. 

 This family is represented in Europe by a single genus containing 

 a single species ; it may be recognised by the broad pronotum with 

 parallel sides, and the uuai'med anterior tibiae. 



