The Flower-like Mantids. 



21 



to a bush of this kind by a curious movement among a cluster of flowers about 

 five feet above the ground. It appeared as though one of the flowers was 

 swaying slowly from side to side, and it was not before several seconds had 

 passed that he realized that the swaying was performed not by a flower, but by 

 a mantis that looked like a flower. When I held the branch on which the Insect 

 had established itself in my hand, I could not tell exactly where the animal 

 tissue commenced and where the flower ended, so perfectly was the one 

 assimflated to the other." Mr. Annandale goes on to state that the Insect 

 had ensconced itself in the very centre of the flower-cluster, and so long as the 

 mantis was on the watch for prey, the hind-body was turned back until its 

 proper upper surface almost touched that of the fore-body. The fore-body 

 and the head were held upright, with the fore-legs in front in the ordinary 

 " praying " attitude of the family. The other two pairs of legs were disposed 

 around the hind-body. When once a position was taken up, it was never 

 changed until the Insect departed from that flower-cluster. The natives 

 believe that it is a flower which has become an Insect. The kanchong mantis 

 is found in Assam, Sikkim, Java, and Sarawak as well as in Siam, but appears 

 to be a rare Insect. 



Another species is known to science as the diabolical spectre ^ from its fore- parts 

 on the under side being coloured with a broad band of violet, which, when the Insect 

 has arranged itself among leaves, gives it an alluring resemblance to a flower to which 

 Insects are attracted. The position is pretty much that shown in our photograph 

 on page 20; and if we can mentally endow that figure with the colour mentioned 

 we shall see that it has a very flower-like appearance. 



P}ioto by] 



Giant Alder-Fly. 



[H. Bintin. 



In America and India there arc enormous alder-flies, which have not only the advantage of size over the European species, but aUo 

 the addition of greatlv developed jaws and a long, tliick neck. The jaws give the Insect the appearance of bcmg verv formidable, 

 but it is by no means clear what purpose they ser\e. The spread of wings is over four inches, and the jaws arc an inch long. 



^ Idolum diabolicum 



