ORTHOPTERA : MANTIDdS. 



355 



slit, the margins of each side of the slit being denticulated and 

 fitting into each other, and being cemented together so strongly 

 that the other portions are even less strong than at the 

 union of the sutures. Nature has, however, provided the 

 inclosed insects with a key to this prison, enabling them to 

 escape at the fitting period ; this consists of a fluid which they 

 emit, which softens the cement of the denticulated margins, and 

 affords to the young captives the means of escape from a 

 situation in which they had previously attained a sufficiency of 

 strength to enable them to follow their habits. On their quitting 

 the case the cleft shuts again, so accurately that it appears as 

 entire as before. This singular proceeding occupies the female 

 about a week, and suggests several interesting points of inquiry as 

 to the manner in which the eggs are arranged by the female, the 

 nature of the envelope, the cause of its being so long borne about 

 by the parent, &c. The larvae and pupae are equally active with 

 the imago, and not less destructive, differing only in their smaller 

 size, and in entirely wanting or having but the rudiments of wings 

 and elytra. 



The family Mantidce consists entirely of exotic insects, of 

 which the general appearance will be seen in the accompany- 



i the act of seizi 



y, with a young one just hatched. 



ing figure. They have obtained their ordinary English 

 name of soothsayers (prie Dieu in France) from their curious 



