INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 181 



shows an egg capsule of the mantis Deiphobe ocellata attached to 

 a twig and Fig. 10 a male of this Insect (only the right half of 

 the Insect is shown in the drawing) which comes from Kulu. The 

 eggs last deposited are said to hatch first. 



Many of the Insects of this family mimic the objects amongst which 

 they live. In fact, so great is the variety of shape and external appear- 

 ance of this group that de Saussure considers it a mimetic group. A 

 mantis of Eastern Bengal called Gongylus gongylohles (Fig. 11) has its 

 under surface resembling the pink corolla of a papilionaceous flower. 

 It usually hangs head downwards amongst green foliage simulating a 

 flower, and Insects flying to and settling upon it are seized and consumed. 

 This Insect has been known to science for upwards of three centuries, and 

 yet very little has been observed on the various stages of its life-history, 

 a case well illustrating the remarks already made upon this subject. 



The Mantidce are not of great importance except perhaps on account 

 of their voracious and predacious habits, they being probably exclusively 

 Insect feeders. Little, however, is at present known in India as to the 

 service they may be to man in this direction, nor do we know whether 

 individual members of the family confine themselves to one species or 

 genus, &c.-, of Insects or whether they prey indiscriminately upon a 

 femily, group, or even Order. Mantidce are common enough, and are 

 often attracted to the lighted bungalow or tent at night, and may be 

 watched stalking their prey or waiting motionless on the table or white- 

 washed walls until an unwary Insect walks or flies within reach. They 

 Teed upon their prey whilst still alive, tearing off the head and dismem- 

 bering the Insect with a complete indifference to its struggles. 

 Fam. IV. Phasmidse— Stick and Leaf-Insects. 

 The Phasmidce are inhabitants of warm countries. They mimic dry 

 sticks and leaves in a marvellous manner. The wings are rudimentary 

 and legs very long. The prothorax is very short and the meso and 

 meta-thorax unusually long, and it is by this character that the Insects 



can be easily distinguished. Their eggs have 

 a remarkable resemblance to the seeds of 

 plants. They are dropped singly by the Insect 

 at random on the ground, being enclosed in a 

 capsule. Fig. 12 shows two eggs of Lonchodes 



Fig. 12.— Eggs of a Stick- virgens, Westw., from Sibsagar, an insect 

 insect. Lonchodes virtjens. . . 



CSibsagar, Assam.) nearly IS inches in total length. Stick-insects 



have the power of renewing a lost log, the mutilated limb being replaced 



