MANTIDJE. 229 



They are usually borne extended before the insect, 

 and frequently raised upwards, and clasped as it 

 were together. This attitude led the ignorant to the 

 fantastical notion that these insects can divine or indi- 

 cate future events, and in many places they are re- 

 garded with a kind of religious veneration. The 

 species \\hich occurs most plentifully in the southern 

 provinces of France (M. religiosci), is particularly 

 famous for pointing out the road to children and others 

 who happen to have lost their way. " Puero interro- 

 ganti," says the credulous Rondelet, " de via altero 

 pede extento rectam monstratjtttywe rare velnunquam 

 fattit" Another species is held in such high venera- 

 tion by the Hottentots that the individual upon whom 

 it happens to alight, is supposed to have a peculiar 

 degree of sanctity imparted to him, and to be a special 

 favourite of heaven. These superstitious fancies 

 have suggested to systematic authors such names 

 as oratoria, religiosa, preearia, pater noster, &c. 

 It is scarcely necessary to state, that these move- 

 ments are the result of the peculiar instinct and 

 mode of life of these insects ; for being fierce, cruel, 

 gormandising creatures, so far from indulging, as has 

 been fondly supposed, in a state of religious abstrac- 

 tion, they are continually seeking what they may 

 devour. With this view, they are perpetually moving 

 their arms or fore-legs in the air, and closing one 

 firmed joint upon Another, so that whatever insect 

 prey comes within reach, is immediately transfixed 

 find consumed.* The following observations ara 

 * Encyclop, Brit. 7th Edit Entom. p. 190, 



