What is "camel locust"

camel \cam"el\ (k[acrf]m"[e^]l), n. [Oe. camel, chamel, OF. camel, chamel, F. chameau L. camelus, fr. Gr. ka`mhlos; of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. g[=a]m[=a]l, Ar. jamal. Cf. As. camel, fr. L. camelus.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) A large ruminant used in Asia and Africa for carrying burdens and for riding. The camel is remarkable for its ability to go a long time without drinking. Its hoofs are small, and situated at the extremities of the toes, and the weight of the animal rests on the callous. The dromedary ( Camelus dromedarius) has one bunch on the back, while the Bactrian camel ( Camelus Bactrianus) has two. The llama, alpaca, and vicu[~n]a, of South America, belong to a related genus ( Auchenia).

2. (Naut.) A water-tight structure (as a large box or boxes) used to assist a vessel in passing over a shoal or bar or in navigating shallow water. By admitting water, the camel or camels may be sunk and attached beneath or at the sides of a vessel, and when the water is pumped out the vessel is lifted.

   Camel bird (Zo["o]l.), the ostrich.

   Camel locust (Zo["o]l.), the mantis.

   Camel's thorn (Bot.), a low, leguminous shrub ( Alhagi maurorum) of the Arabian desert, from which exudes a sweetish gum, which is one of the substances called manna.