2&S THE MANTIS TRIBE. 



they have arrived at maturity they loosen themselves, 

 and crawl or fly away. 



The Africans consider the whole tribe, according 1 

 to some writers, as sacred ; but, according to others, 

 only as animals of good omen. One of the species 

 (Mantis fausta) has obtained the name of the Hotten- 

 tofs God, and is supposed to be worshipped by this 

 people. Professor Thunberg could not, however, 

 observe any reason for this supposition : He says it 

 is held by them in such esteem that they would not 

 willingly injure it j and that they account any per- 

 son or creature fortunate on whom it alights ; but 

 all this appeared to him to be done without paying 

 it any sort of worship *. 



None of the species have ever been found in this 

 country. 



The head in the whole tribe is unsteady, and ap- 

 pears but slightly attached to the thorax. The 

 mouth is armed with jaws, and has its feelers fili- 

 form. The wings are four, membranaceous, and 

 convolute, the under ones plaited. The fore-legs 

 are compressed, serrated or toothed beneath, and 

 armed with a single claw, and a lateral jointed pro- 

 cess. The four hind legs are smooth, and formed 

 tor walking, and not for leaping, as in the next 

 tribe. 



THE ORATOR MANTIS f. 



This is a very widely diffused species, being 



* Thunberg, ii. 66. t Mantis oratoria. Linn, 



