OF THE SKELETON. 139 



and fourth segments, e, o, and thus we have before us all 

 the organs of locomotion possessed by insects. Although 

 so nearly resembling Phasma in appearance, ^<~^ 

 the species oi Mantis are totally different from ^ ^ 

 them in mode of life ; feeding on living in- 

 sects, and displaying great savageness and 

 cruelty of disposition, fighting each other 

 with the most determined courage and fero- 

 city, and using their fore legs, which are 

 peculiarly constructed for the purpose, as 

 weapons of offence : this employment of the 

 fore legs renders it essential that they should 

 possess greater muscular power than those of 

 the quiet Phasma, and if we compare the size ^ ^ 

 of the second segment in these two insects, m _rj 

 we can scarcely fail being struck with the q j— |. 



difference which they exhibit. ^ 



. . Q Q 



By examining the Mantis it will be seen s ca 



U - C3 



that the posterior edge of each segment after w ^^ 

 the fourth, protrudes over the anterior edge ' ^ 



/. 1 /. 11 • 111 • Mantis. 



of the followmg segment, thus the alternation 

 of flexible and inflexible portions of the skin allows not 

 merely a fi*ee motion to the right or left, upwards or down- 

 wards, but of increase or decrease in length, at the plea- 

 sure of the insect: contraction is performed by the 

 segments being drawn one within another, and elongation 

 by extending and separating the rings : this action, which 

 is very observable in the bodies of the wasp or honey bee, 

 is represented by the sliding of the tubes of a telescope. 



The names of the thirteen segments of insects, and the 

 limbs which they bear, are as follow ; and in the figures 

 which the author has drawn to illustrate the subject, similar 

 references are invariably used, a plan which will be found 

 to save much trouble, as all confusion is thus avoided. 



