Rau — The Biology of Stagmomantis Carolina. 43 



When the architecture of an egg-case is studied, with 

 its rows of cells, galleries and openings all arranged 

 with precision, one realizes the complexity of the task 

 of building such a structure and wonders where the 

 insect could have acquired this knowledge, since of 

 course it had no mother or experienced contemporaries 

 to mimic in nest building, as have the higher animals or 

 even the social insects. 



The work of nest making consumes about two hours, 

 and almost always is commenced at sunset, or after dark. 

 Why this strange time of day should almost invariably 

 be chosen has not been ascertained. 



When about to begin ovipositing the mantis takes its 

 position on the twig or surface, head downward, holding 

 on by the two hind pair of legs ; the front pair are held 

 free as usual. The insect remains perfectly quiet, ex- 

 cepting for the contractions and expansions of the last two 

 or three abdominal segments. Soon a small stream or 

 ribbon of whitish substance issues from the body; this 

 in appearance greatly resembles tooth-paste as it is 

 pressed from the tube. A little later, when it is worked 

 up and ready for the making of the egg-case it is foamy 

 and mucilagenous, like the beaten white of egg, and has 

 a delicate greenish tint. When the ribbon protrudes 

 for about a quarter of an inch, it is pressed against the 

 twig or surface by the tip of the abdomen, and adheres 

 thereto. Let it here be stated that throughout the work 

 the insect rests with the head downward and has never 

 been seen to turn to observe the work while in progress. 

 Furthermore, none of the appendages assist in the egg- 

 case making, but the mass of material is pumped from 

 the body by the movements of the last two or three ab- 

 dominal segments only, and the whole is shaped by the 

 ovipositor, the two small cerci probably aiding in the 

 construction by acting as sense organs. 



The last two segments, by a series of contortions, con- 

 tractions and expansions, press out the ribbon of ma- 



