ORTHOPTERA. 331 



frequently to mourn the unsightly gnawing of che- 

 rished specimens. It is not wholly a vegetable 

 feeder, however, for instances are recorded in which 

 individuals, partners in captivity, have devoured 

 each other. As a set-off against these unamiahle 

 traits in its character, we may mention that the 

 female sits with great patience on her eggs, and 

 rears her young with considerable care and tender- 

 ness, a thing very unusual in Insects. 



Passing over the Cockroaches, (Blatta,*) which 

 are still more troublesome and disagreeable than 

 the preceding, we notice briefly the Mantis,-^ the 

 most carnivorous' of the Order. These are singu- 

 larly formed creatures, of a lengthened shape, the 

 thorax exceedingly long and slender, the eyes round 

 and prominent, the fore-legs armed on the thigh and 

 shank with long spines, which lock into each other 

 when the leg is bent up. Their usual attitude of 

 watching for prey is curious, and has given rise to 

 familiar names in many countries, and a super- 

 stitious reverence for the insects, as if they were 

 engaged in devotion. Rearing itself up on its four 

 hind legs, the thorax nearly perpendicular, and the 

 formidable fore-legs extended, the Mantis waits 

 patient and motionless, except that its head turns 

 from side to side, till some unfortunate Insect comes 

 by, when it is seized with the swiftness of lightning 

 by the closing of the leg, and held by the spines, and 

 then devoured. They even fight with each other 



* The Latin name of some destructive Insect, 

 t Mv<r/>', mantis, a prophet. 



