Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/146

118 the kindness of the Rev. F.W. Hope, and by means of the collection of the British Museum, I am induced to call the attention of entomologists to them. In the time of Linnaeus only one species was known as the Mantis siccifolium, which is figured by Rösel. And it was the general opinion of authors long after that great man's time, that there existed but one species of these remarkable insects, until Stoll gave many figures of them, one of which he considered to differ in some points, and gave to it the name of Phasma chlorophyllium. The general opinion having been thus broken in upon, other species have since been added. M. Serville has named two species in his work on Orthoptera; and I ventured to increase the number in my 'Synopsis of Phasmidæ,' by three additional species: while M. Dehaan has described one and figured two, under what I consider incorrect names. In the present notice of species five new ones are added, thus forming a synopsis of thirteen species of these singular insects, which are easily distinguishable by the marginal form of the abdomen, and of the anterior femora.

These extraordinarily formed insects were, at one time, supposed to partake both of insect and vegetable life; and not only has the perfect insect such similarity to portions of vegetables, but even their eggs might at first sight be mistaken for the deeply ribbed fruits of various umbelliferous plants. The insects are mostly peculiar to the continent of India and its isles.

Inhabits the Philippine Islands. In the cabinet of Brit. Museum.

Phyllium siccifolium (L.), Latr. Male and female: abdomen broadest across the middle of third segment, narrowing gradually towards the apex of the sixth, and then suddenly to the tip of the body. Femora of the fore legs dilated; the inner dilation has the margin inwardly entire and outwardly dilated and rounded;