The body of these insects is more or less elongated, and the head, which is triangular or heart-shaped, is attached to the thorax by a distinct neck. [Illustration: Fig. 69.--Blepharis Mendica.] The _Mantidæ_, or Praying Insects, are celebrated for their habit of resting on their four hind legs, and with their front legs raised in the air, in what was formerly supposed to be an attitude of devotion, but really in an observant attitude, and on the alert for their prey. None of these insects are met with in the British Isles, but several species are rather abundant in the south of France. Two species, _Mantis pauperata_ and _Mantis religosa_, measure about two or two and a half inches in length. A third species, _Mantis oratoria_, is also common but somewhat smaller in size. _Family 3, Phasmidæ._--These insects very much resemble the _Mantidæ_ in general appearance, to which also they are very closely allied. They are among the most peculiar insects in existence. Their appearance is comical in the extreme. Many of them resemble sticks, either green growing trees or brown and withered branches, and hence the name of stick insects commonly applied to them is very appropriate. On account of their skeleton-like forms they have also been likened to ghosts and spectres. Some few species mimic leaves of trees and various plants, and these are often called "leaf insects." The number of species of this family is not very large, and by far the greater part of these are inhabitants of the warmer regions of the earth, and they seem to increase in size, especially the nearer their home lies to the Equator. Among the more interesting species we may mention _Cyphocrania semirubra_ from Brazil, with short greenish elytra and pink wings. _Bacillus rosii_ is a brown, wingless form found in Italy and the south of France. Some of the tropical species are among the largest insects known. A winged Australian species attains the length of ten inches. _Lopaphus cocophagus_ is a common species in the South Sea Islands, and sometimes commits great ravages in the plantations of cocoa-nut trees. When this insect is alarmed it squirts out a highly acrid fluid, which causes great pain, and sometimes blindness if it reaches the eye. We may remark that no species of _Phasmidæ_ are known to inhabit the British Isles. TRIBE II.--SALTATORIA. The principal character of the insects belonging to this tribe consists in the adaptation of the hind legs to the purpose of leaping. The males of most of the species possess the faculty of producing loud chirping sounds, but the means by which this is effected vary in the different families.