OF THE UNITED STATES 49 



these will be found from time to time. In dossing this very brief 

 account — barely a word as compared with what has been written 

 about these insects — I would say science still remains in total ig- 

 norance of a great deal that pertains to them, and the writer 

 knows of no chapter in the entire range of entomology that would 

 better repay the careful study and observation of the entonio- 

 phile, nor, indeed, a group from which, by patient research, more 

 information could be derived, which, if carefully recorded, would 

 form a more solid contribution to knowledge. 



Another very interesting group of insects to consider is the 

 one represented by our common Bear Horse ( iStagnwmantis Caro- 

 lina). These insects, known under a variety of other names to 

 be hereinafter mentioned, are predaceous, and, therefore, of bene- 

 fit to the agriculturist. They have a remarkable history, and a 

 great many drawings of them have been published. The egg 

 cases, similar to those now before us, have been figured in the 

 fourth volume of "Insect Life," on page 244. while on the preced- 

 ing page of the same work there is described a curious insect 

 parasite of these eggs, which may, with interest, be read in con- 

 nection with the former account. 



Our species of "Rear Horse'' are known far and wide in those 

 parts of the country where they occur, and many who read this 

 chapter will at once recognize the insect from the drawing I have 

 made of one especially to illustrate it. Two egg cases are also 

 shown in it attached by the insect on the frame to the left. 



They have been called "Rear Horses'' from the manner in 

 which they hold themselves, and the position of the anterior pair 

 of legs, giving a fancied resemblance to a horse in the act of rear- 

 ing. Another name by which they are even better known is that 

 of Mantis. Mantis is from the Greek word meaning "a diviner," 

 and it has been applied to a genus of these insects, of which 

 Mantis religiosa is the common form. Hence, also, another name, 

 or the ''Praying Mantis,'' that it likewise gets from the devout 

 attitude in which it continually holds itself, and its solemn as- 

 pect withal. We shall soon see, however, that these insects, as 

 a distinguished entomologist once remarked, " are not the saints 

 but the tigers of the insect world." In one country or another 

 they are also called "soothsayers,'' and "nuns" or "preachers," 

 " saints," and similar appellations, which are simply so many 

 more titles they by no means deserve. It was endowed with 

 supernatural powers by the ancient Greeks, and the Arabs as 



