ae ee 
ce 
ie 
the Relative Edibility of Insects. 13 
with the broad flattened coxae rotated so that their 
unner surfaces were directed forwards, the two notches 
together leaving an oval space for the head: the 
flattened coxae were thus in the same plane as the 
broad expansions of the thorax. The result of this 
striking attitude may be seen in the accompanying 
rough sketch made from this very specimen after it 
was killed, and the limbs placed in the appropriate 
position. For some reason the fore limbs could not 
be made to adopt the straight position in which they 
were held when alive :—the tibiae and tarsi should be 
close together and parallel. This attitude shows the 
under surface of the thoracic expansion conspicuously 
greenish white, except for an inferior greener strip; 
the coxae basally very dark purplish brown, or almost 
purplish black, with the dark colour extended to form 
a semicircle around the reddish brown area on each 
side of the green head with conspicuous black eyes. 
The distal parts of the coxae, next the femora, are 
again conspicuously greenish white, as also is the strip 
along the inner margin of the femur whose outer part 
is reddish brown. The whole of the large area of the 
coxae is very highly polished. The general effect of 
this large diversely coloured area suddenly exposed 
in a threatening manner was extremely surprising both 
to me and the monkey! He hastily backed away 
along the branch, and I think there can be no doubt 
that on this occasion the mantis saved itself by its 
“ terrifying attitude.” 
This most interesting mantis was described by Dr. D. 
Sharp as a “ floral simulator’ in the Proceedings of the 
Cambridge Philosophical Society for 1899, No. X, pp. 175, 
etc. Dr. Sharp says, “ Mr. Muir says, like Mantis religiosa, 
it assumes very peculiar attitudes, sometimes hanging by 
three or even two legs, and sticking one or more of the 
others out like twigs. 
“The front legs are invariably extended ready to close 
in upon the deluded prey and are never darted out as they 
are by M. religiosa. ... 1 doubt if it has any special 
plant, but its coloured legs hanging from any tree form 
an attraction to flies. In order to test this I placed pieces 
of coloured paper on trees and noticed that flies would 
often fly down, and at times beetles. . . .” 
