234 SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT. 



are certainly erroneous. Liechtenstein, for example, 

 refers to this species two mantes figured by Stoll, one ! 

 from Surinam, the other from Tranquebar, which I 

 have all the appearance of being distinct. It has now r 

 been demonstrated, that, in order to obtain just views!' 

 of the geographical distribution of insects, as well as 

 other tribes of inferior animals, more importance mustl; 

 be allowed to minute characters than they were 

 thought to deserve by the older naturalists. Even 

 with this limitation, however, there is no doubt that 

 this species is widely spread. 



XA.NTIS (DEROPLATYS) DESICCATA, West. 

 PLATE IX. 



THIS plate represents, of the natural size, a remark 

 able and unique insect, hitherto un described, belong- 

 ing to the present family. The expansive membrane 

 on each side of the thorax is one of its most remark- 

 able characters. From its resemblance to a witherec 

 leaf, Mr. Westwood, to whom we are indebted for j 

 figure and description, has distinguished it by the 

 above name. 



The length of the body is about three inches, the 

 expansion of the tegmina three inches and a quarter 

 The colour is obscure brown variegated with dull re( 

 and buff. The eyes are large, lateral, and not acu 

 minate ; head unarmed. Thorax furnished on eac] 

 side with a large and very thin membrane, (resem- 

 bling a withered leaf,) having a deep dentate notcl 

 on each side behind. The margins of the abdomina 



