MANTIS (Neo-Lat., from Gk. iniaric, diviner, prophet; so called from the position of the fore legs, which resembles the attitude of prayer). One of the popular names for any of the orthop terous insects of the family MantidT, and the scientific name of the type genus. Other popu lar names are 'praying insect,' soothsayer,' 'prophet,' rear-horse,"mule-killer."The family Mantiffir form the old group of the Orthoptera known as the Rapto•ia o• graspers. They have the prothorax long and the front legs fitted for grasping their prey. The head is oblique and generally three-eorne•ed. They are much more abundant in tropical regions than elsewhere, and exhibit striking instances of protective resem blance and aggressive resemblance. The so-called 'flower mantes' of tropical countries resemble the flowers of certain plants, and in these flowers they lurk awaiting the visits of the insects upon which they teed. The term 'praying' insects has been derived from the attitude which t hey a?,:lITIIC when at rest or when waiting to grasp another insect; the knees are bent and the front legs are held as though supporting a prayer-book. The commonest North Aineriean species is the 'rear-horse' or 'mule-killer' (Stagni0771antis Carolina), but the European (Mantis religio so) has been introduced into the United States by accident, and has become aeclimatized.
The eggs of the JIaWtiul:r are laid in tough cases attached to the twigs of trees, where the young ut•hen hatched begin immediately to teed upon plaut•lice or other small soft-bodied insects, the size of the insects attacked increas ing with the growth of the mantes. They have always Leen recornized as beneficial insects, but they are indiscriminate in their diet, and will feed upon other hettelicial insects as well as upon injurious forms Their eggs are frequently para sitized by a very curious c•hale•is-1ly of the genus Podagrion, which by means Of a lung ovipositor is enabled to pierce the tough egg cases of the These insects seen always to have been re garded with superstitious awe. They were used by the Greeks in soothsaying, and the 'Hindus display a reverential consideration of their move ments and flight. In Southern Prance the peas ants believe that they point out a lost way; the '1'ur•ks and other Moshmts rMognize intelligence and intentions in the actions of the mantis; a South African species is, or was, venerated by the Hottentots; the Chinese and the Javanese keep them in cages and cause them to fight for wagers.