ORDER III. STRAIGHT-^VINGED INSECTS. 119 



grayish brown wings, two very long fore legs, which are 

 continually stretched out to catch insects, and two short 

 antennse. They have received the name Mantis from the 

 Greek word signifying " Soothsayer," on account of their 

 curious motions, and that of " Camel-crickets" from the 

 great length of their neck. 



They are very seldom found in the Middle or Eastern 

 States of the Union, but are seen in Maryland and all the 

 Southern States, and several species are found in the trop- 

 ics. They dwell upon the leaves of trees and bushes, walk- 

 ing very slowly upon their four hind legs, or sitting station- 

 ary for hours, liko the chameleon, waiting for their prey. 

 As soon as they perceive a fly or a caterpillar approaching, 

 they turn their heads on all sides, watching its movements, 

 then they creep toward it slowly, like a cat after a mouse, 

 until, with the rapidity of an arrow, they pounce upon it 

 and grasp it with their sharp-pointed fore feet. Having 

 devoured their victims, they resume their former position, 

 and sit stationary, holding up their fore legs as if in the at- 

 titude of prayer. Hence the country people of France, as- 

 suming that it is engaged in prayer, call this insect '•^ Prie 

 Dieu;' the Italians, ^'' Prega Dio f the Germans, ''■ Gottes- 

 Anheterinn f and the Latin names of ^'•Mantis religiosa, pre- 

 caria, sancta, superstitiosa, oratoria, mendica, pauperata^'' etc., 

 which have been applied to it, are derived from the same 

 superstition. 



In the life of the celebrated missionary, St. Francis Xa- 

 vier, we read " that when he saw a Mantis holding up its 

 arms in deep devotion, he asked the insect to sing the 

 praises of God, whereupon it chanted a very fine canticle." 



Sparmann, a distinguished traveler in Africa, informs us 

 " that this insect, the Mantis, is worshiped by the Hotten- 

 tots as a tutelary divinity ; and if it happens to ahght on 

 any person, he is at once considered as the peculiar favorite 

 of Heaven, and is looked up tjo as a saint." 



