They are usually borne extended before the insect, and frequently raised upwards, and clasped as it were together. This attitude led the ignorant to the fantastical notion that these insects can divine or indicate future events, and in many places they are regarded with a kind of religious veneration. The species which occurs most plentifully in the southern provinces of France (M. religiosa), is particularly famous for pointing out the road to children and others who happen to have lost their way. "Puero interroganti," says the credulous Rondelet, "de viâ altero pede extento rectam monstrat, atque rare vel nunquam fallit." Another species is held in such high veneration by the Hottentots that the individual upon whom it happens to alight, is supposed to have a peculiar degree of sanctity imparted to him, and to be a special favourite of heaven. These superstitious fancies have suggested to systematic authors such names as oratoria, religiosa, precaria, pater noster, &c. It is scarcely necessary to state, that these movements are the result of the peculiar instinct and mode of life of these insects; for being fierce, cruel, gormandising creatures, so far from indulging, as has been fondly supposed, in a state of religious abstraction, they are continually seeking what they may devour. With this view, they are perpetually moving their arms or fore-legs in the air, and closing one armed joint upon another, so that whatever insect prey comes within reach, is immediately transfixed and consumed.[1] The following observations are
- ↑ Encyclop. Brit. 7th Edit. Entom. p. 190.
