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Instruction, by Various
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Title: The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction
Vol. 14, Issue 398, November 14, 1829
Author: Various
Release Date: March 4, 2004 [EBook #11433]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.
VOL. 14, No. 398] SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1829. [PRICE 2d
THE NATURALIST.
[Illustration: MANTIS, OR WALKING LEAF.]
[Illustration: BRANCHED STARFISH.]
Castles, cathedrals, and churches, palaces, and parks, and architectural
subjects generally, have occupied so many frontispiece pages of our
recent numbers, that we have been induced to select the annexed cuts as
a pleasant relief to this artificial monotony. They are Curiosities of
Nature; and, in truth, more interesting than the proudest work of men's
hands. Their economy is much more surprising than the most sumptuous
production of art; and the intricacy and subtlety of its processes throw
into the shade all the contrivances of social man: a few inquiries into
their structure and habits will therefore prove entertaining to all
classes of readers.
* * * * *
1. THE PRAYING MANTIS.
The Mantis is a species of cricket, and belongs to the Hemiptetera, or
second order of insects. Blumenbach[1] enumerates four varieties:--1.
the Gigantic, from Amboyna, a span long, yet scarce as thick as a
goose-quill, and eaten by the Indians. 2. Gonglyodes, from Guinea. 3.
the Religious Mantis, or Praying Cricket. 4. Another at the Cape, and
considered sacred by the Hottentots. The cut represents the third of
these varieties.
[1] Manual, translated by Gore.
It mostly goes on four legs, holding up two shorter ones. The hind legs
are very long; the middle ones shorter. It is sometimes called the
_Dried and Walking Leaf_, from the resemblance of its wing covering, in
form and colour to a dry willow leaf; it is found in Chi
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