Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Entomology.djvu/240

234 are certainly erroneous. Lichtenstein, for example, refers to this species two mantes figured by Stoll, one from Surinam, the other from Tranquebar, which have all the appearance of being distinct. It has now been demonstrated, that, in order to obtain just views of the geographical distribution of insects, as well as other tribes of inferior animals, more importance must be allowed to minute characters than they were thought to deserve by the older naturalists. Even with this limitation, however, there is no doubt that this species is widely spread.

MANTIS (DEROPLATYS) DESICCATA, West.

IX. plate represents, of the natural size, a remarkable and unique insect, hitherto undescribed, belonging to the present family. The expansive membrane on each side of the thorax is one of its most remarkable characters. From its resemblance to a withered leaf, Mr. Westwood, to whom we are indebted for a figure and description, has distinguished it by the above name. The length of the body is about three inches, the expansion of the tegmina three inches and a quarter. The colour is obscure brown variegated with dull red and buff. The eyes are large, lateral, and not acuminate; head unarmed. Thorax furnished on each side with a large and very thin membrane, (resembling a withered leaf,) having a deep dentate notch on each side behind. The margins of the abdominal