u8 THE FOOD OF ANIMALS 



be required than is here available. Many of the tropical species 

 are remarkable for their curious form and coloration, by which 

 a close resemblance to foliage or flowers is brought about. Nor 

 do all of them wait till prey comes within reach: a species in- 

 habiting New Zealand (though probably introduced from 

 Australia) has been described which is in the habit of stalking 

 its victims till near enough to secure them by a sudden rush. 

 Annandale has recently given a very interesting account of a 

 pink Mantis found in Siam, which will ser^e as a final illustration. 

 This creature is in the habit of stationing itself on the look-out 

 for prey in the midst of groups of pink flowers something like 

 rhododendrons in appearance. The limbs and front part of the 

 body are of the same tint, and so is the under side of the abdomen, 

 which is bent up over the back so as to be in full view. As, 

 however, the insect is too large to be mistaken for part of a 

 single flower, there is a green band which runs across the upper 

 side of the thorax and divides the pink colour into two sections 

 which harmonize with two different blossoms. It may also be 

 added that there is a small black patch at the tip of the abdomen 

 upon which minute flies are in the habit of perching. Being too 

 insignificant to be worth capturing, the Mantis leaves these alone, 

 and their presence adds to the illusion. This, however, is not 

 all, for when the group of flowers withers the Mantis migrates 

 to another, turning down the abdomen so as to display the 

 upper surface, which is marked with brown lines so as to suggest 

 a withering flower. And further, when in this posture, the insect 

 looks very much like an orchis blossom, for the striped abdomen 

 simulates the broad lower petal (labellum), while the limbs, which 

 are broadened out, together with the front part of the body, 

 represent the rest of the orchis. This is a marvellous instance 

 of aggressive special coloration and form, whereby some pre- 

 daceous animals resemble definite objects so closely that their 

 prey is prevented from taking alarm. 



Passing by the WINGLESS INSECTS (APTERA), which have little- 

 developed mouth-parts, and for the most part are believed to 

 live on disintegrating vegetable matter, we come to carnivorous 

 insects with sucking mouth-parts. 



