292 INSECTS ABROAD. 



two (^f them tiglit, as they are tolerably sure to do if they meet, 

 a successful blow with the flat edge of the leg will cut the 

 unlucky insect in two. In fact, the movements of two of these 

 insects when lighting have been compared with those of men 

 armed with sabres. On Plate V. two specimens of Mantis tincti- 

 pennis are shown as they appear when engaged in combat. The 

 lower insect has struck its blow and missed, while its antagonist 

 is raising its legs to make its stroke in return. 



This species is a native of Ceram, and is a very good typical 

 example of the Mautidte. The lengthened thorax, which is cha- 

 racteristic of the famil}-, is plainly shown, undisguised by the 

 flattened appendages to the sides which are seen in many spe- 

 cies, notably in that which is represented in the lowest figure 

 of Plate V. This lengthened thorax, which resembles a long 

 neck, has gained for the Mantis in some countries the popular 

 name of Camel Cricket. 



The raptorial legs are boldly toothed, and if they be closed it 

 will be seen that not only does the tibia sink deeply into the 

 groove of the thigh, but that the sharp teeth with which the lower 

 edges of both these joints are armed, interlock with each other, 

 so as to make the escape of any prey almost a matter of impossi- 

 bility. As is often the case among insects, the female is larger 

 than the male and has more powerful fore-legs. Being also more 

 quarrelsome, if she be sought by a male, she is much more likely 

 to quarrel with him than to agree with him ; and in the former 

 case she is certain to kill him first and eat him afterwards. 



The colour of this insect when living is a lovely leaf-green. 

 Unfortunately, the colour is very fugitive, and, in spite of all 

 trouble that may be taken, fades soon after death. It is remark- 

 able that with these insects, which are green so as to resemble 

 the leaves of the tree which they frequent, the colour changes 

 with the season of the year, changing from green to yellow or 

 brown towards the fall of the leaf The same phenomenon 

 occurs with the Leaf Insect, which will be presently described. 



At Fig. 2 on Plate V. is seen a rounded object fastened to a 

 twig. This is an egg-cluster of the Mantis, these insects laying 

 them much after the manner that is so familiar to us in the 

 domestic cockroach, except that the outer envelope which protects 

 them is not of so hard and tough a material, and is applied 

 after the eggs are deposited. Indeed, considering the size and 



