hitherto confounded under the Name of Mant^. 57 



the fpecies, of which I knew both the male and the female. Where 

 I could afcertain but one fex, whether in a natural fpccimcn, or in ^ 

 drawing or defcription of good authority, I have been obliged, againft 

 my own principles, to form the fpccific chara<5ters from thofe variable 

 diftindlions which are fubjcdl to change with the difference of fex. 

 In this refpeiSt, therefore, whoever iTiall hereafter think proper to 

 write a more complete and accurate monograph on the Phafmala, 

 will find ftiU much room left for corre£tions and improvements. I 

 confider myfelf as excufed in the eyes of enlightened judges, as having 

 been able to make ufe only of dried fpecimens and books ; and, be- 

 fides, as fairly confeffing and pointing out the defe<Sls of my Ipecific 

 characters, and recommending them to the improvements of thofe 

 who have opportunity of examining the living fubjecls. 

 . In the genus of the proper Mantes, the difference between the two 

 fexes is far from being fo ftriking as in the Phafmaia. I believe that 

 I have obferved in fome fpecies the following fexual chara6lers, 

 which I do not lay down dogmatically, but propofe, ^s a critical 

 rcafoner, to be brought to the teft by thofe who have opportunity 

 and Ikill to make ufe of them. i. The male Mantes are only a lit- 

 tle fmaller th an the females. 2. Their antenna: are confiderabiy 

 longer, and fomewhat thicker, fometimes, although rarely, even pec- 

 tinated. Thus, perhaps, the M. fiabellkornis may be the male of 

 M.gongylides; on the other hand, both fexes of the M. pe£iinicornis feem 

 to have pedinated antennas. 3. The males have proportionabiy 

 larger eyes than the females; in refpefl to form and fituation, the 

 eyes of each fex agree of CQurfe very exactly. 4. The thorax of the 

 males is narrower, and, efpecially at the margin, fmoother. 5. Their 

 abdomen is narrower and thinner. 6. Their hemelytra are narrower, 

 and often longer. 7. Their wings are longer, and every way larger. 

 8. Their arms are fomewhat longer; the upper and lower arm nar- 

 rower, and lefs flattened ; the fciflar-like, or falciform hand, narrower 



4 a.nd 



