THE MANTIS.— COURTSHIP 81 



men. The pose is superb, but less terrific than that 

 assumed when the fight is to be to the death. 



Then one of the grappHng-hooks with a sudden spring 

 flies out and strikes the rival ; with the same suddenness 

 it flies back and assumes a position of guard. The adver- 

 sary repHes with a riposte. The fencing reminds one 

 not a little of two cats boxing one another's ears. At the 

 first sign of blood on the soft abdomen, or even at the 

 slightest wound, one admits herself to be conquered and 

 retires. The other refurls her battle standard and goes 

 elsewhere to meditate the capture of a cricket, apparently 

 calm, but in reality ready to recommence the quarrel. 



Very often the matter turns out more tragically. In 

 duels to the death the pose of attack is assumed in all its 

 beauty. The murderous talons unfold and rise in the air. 

 Woe to the vanquished ! for the victor seizes her in her 

 vice-like grip and at once commences to eat her ; begin- 

 ning, needless to say, at the back of the neck. The 

 odious meal proceeds as calmly as if it were merely a 

 matter of munching a grasshopper ; and the survivor 

 enjoys her sister quite as much as lawful game. The 

 spectators do not protest, being only too willing to do the 

 like on the first occasion. 



Ferocious creatures ! It is said that even wolves do 

 not eat one another. The Mantis is not so scrupulous ; 

 she will eat her fellows when her favourite quarry, the 

 cricket, is attainable and abundant. 



These observations reach a yet more revolting extreme. 

 Let us inquire into the habits of the insect at breeding 

 time, and to avoid the confusion of a crowd let us isolate 

 the couples under different covers. Thus each pair will 

 have their own dwelling, where nothing can trouble their 



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