186 ' THE ENTOMOr^OGIST's RECORD. 



sometimes the elytra have the marginal field brownish, or the entire 

 elytra are brownish ; wings peliiicid, the anterior margin greenish or 

 brownish. Anterior coxae denticulated on upper and lower margins, 

 specked with whitish on inner side, with a black spot near the base, 

 sometimes with a white centre ; anterior femora with the alternate 

 spines on inner margin black. Length of body, 42mm. -52mm. S , 

 48mm. -75mm. $; of pronotum, 1mm. -14mm. 3, 14mm. -28mm. 2; 

 of elytra, 9mm. -10mm. ^ , 14mm. -20mm. ? . 



This is the common Mantis that is familiar to most visitors to 

 southern and south central Europe. It occurs in grass, and is to be 

 found adult in September and October. In France it is found in many 

 localities, but is commonest in the south ; Nice, Hyeres, le Havre, 

 common on the Upper Rhme, but rare in the Vosges ; common ini 

 Languedoc, Dijon, He de Re, Gironde, Grenoble, BesanQon, Chartres, 

 Reims, Lyon. In Switzerland it occurs at Geneva, in the Valais, and 

 at Freiburg. In Austria it is common in the south, and is found also 

 at Passau, Vienna, Weisbergen, Krems, the south Tirol, and in 

 Germany at Frankfort-on-the-Main. It is found in Sardinia and 

 throughout the Iberian Peninsula. It is familiar to the peasants in 

 the places where it is common; in France it is known as "prie Dieu," 

 and in Catalonia as " Prega-deu," and Bolivar relates that it is known 

 in Portugal as " Louva-Deus," and in Andalusia as " Santa Tei'esa." 



Genus 7. Iris, Sauss. 



The only European species of this genus is easily recognised by 

 the peacock-eye on the wings ; the general colour varies from green 

 to brownish -chestniit. 



1. Iris oratoria, Linn. 



Length of body, 29mm.-:-37mm. S , 82mm. -47mm. 9 ; of pronotum, 

 8mm.-ll-5mm. <? , 11mm. -16mm. 2 ; of elytra, 22mm.-30mra. ^ . 

 15mm. -22mm. $ . 



This beautiful Mantid is easily recognised by the eye-spot on the 

 wings. It occurs along the shores of the Mediterranean. In France 

 it is abundant at Cette, on the coast of Provence and of Languedoc, 

 Hyeres, Cannes, Draguignan, Valence, Drome, Montpellier, etc.; it is 

 recorded from Sicily, Sardinia, and from San Remo and Bordighera 

 in Italy, where it is probably widely distributed. In Spain it occurs 

 in the centre and north, and also in Portugal. 



Genus 8. Fischeria, Saussure. 

 This genus is characterised by the two spines on the base of the 

 subgenital lamina of the female. 



1. Fischeria baetjca, Rambur. 



The only European species is easily recognised by the dark grey 

 colour, slender build, and indistinct eye-spot on the fore margin of the 

 wings. Length of body, 57mm. J , 61mm. -66mm. 2 ; of pronotum, 

 14-5mm. J , 18mm. -19mm. J ; of elytra, 37inm. J , 20mui.-21mm. 2 • 



On shrubs, especially C/sf/^s and Tlnjiium, m dry places in Spain ; 

 Malaga, Valencia, Almeria, Cartagena, but seems to be absent in the 

 centre. (The record of the species from Ucles by Pantel is to be 

 referred to GennmntiK. lan'oidea.) It occurs also in North Africa and 

 Asia Minor. 



[To he continued.) 



