THE MANTIS.— THE NEST 89 



scales, leaving two exits, in the shape of narrow crevices, 

 for each layer of eggs. 



To be present at the construction of the nest — to 

 learn how the Mantis contrives to build so complex a 

 structure — such was the main point of my researches. I 

 succeeded, not without difficulty, as the eggs are laid 

 without warning and nearly always at night. After a 

 great deal of futile endeavour, chance at last favoured 

 me. On the 5th of September one of my guests, 

 fecundated on the 29th of August, began to make her 

 preparations under my eyes, at four o'clock in the 

 afternoon. 



One remark before proceeding : all the nests I have 

 obtained in the laboratory — and I have obtained a good 

 number — have without exception been built upon the 

 wire gauze of the covers. I have been careful to provide 

 the insects with roughened stones and tufts of thyme, 

 both being very commonly used as foundations in the 

 open fields. The captives have always preferred the 

 network of wire gauze, which affords a perfectly firm 

 foundation, as the soft material of the nest becomes 

 incrusted upon the meshes as it hardens. 



In natural conditions the nests are never in any way 

 sheltered ; they support the inclemencies of winter, 

 resist rain, wind, frost, and snow, without becoming 

 detached. It is true that the female always selects an 

 uneven support on which the foundations of the nest 

 can be shaped, thus obtaining a firm hold. The site 

 chosen is always the best obtainable within reach, 

 and the wire gauze is constantly adopted as the best 

 foundation obtainable in the cages. 



The only Mantis that I was able to observe at the 



