GREEN MANTIS. 29 



mass which is fixed to the side of a stem, but 

 sometimes they have been seen on fences, or even 

 on the surface of rocks. (Plate 5, Figs. 4 and 5). 

 On the upper surface are two longitudinal rows of 

 alternating "doorways" or openings, through which 

 the young mantids escape. Each doorway leads 

 into a narrow, laterally compressed tgg chamber 

 which in the broader part of the mass, holds four, 

 elongate, vertically placed eggs. We found eight 

 double rows of these, and at the narrower ends of 

 the mass, a few smaller egg chambers, holding 

 three, two, or one egg, according to their space. 

 The eggs do not fill the entire chamber but extend 

 only for two thirds of the distance upwards. In 

 the upper part is a plug of fine spongy material 

 through which the emerging mantid cuts its way, 

 when escaping. There is a strong outer wall en- 

 closing all these egg chambers. We cut cross 

 and longitudinal sections through several of these 

 nests, and examined them with the lens. 



The young mantid (Plate 5, Fig. 6) frequently 

 casts its first skin as it emerges from the egg. It 

 is like the parent in general shape, but without 

 wings, black in color, and less than J inch in length. 

 It can move freely, and at once begins to look around 

 for food ; if this is scarce, it quite willingly devours 

 its fellows. It soon changes to a delicate green 

 color. After the third or fourth moult, the wings 

 begin to appear, and then gradually develop till the 

 perfect state is reached. 



The life history of the green mantid can be 

 followed out quite readily. We have collected the 



