342 CHAPTER XLVIIL 



Fig. 117. EGG-CIAJSTER OF MANTIS. 



These animals are very tenacious of life, and 

 seem to require but little moisture ; some species are 

 found in deserts far removed from water. They 

 present a remarkable instance of reflex action. If 

 the first segment, with the head and the powerful 

 front legs, be severed from the body, this latter, raised 

 on the remaining legs, will behave as if still alive. 

 On the other hand, the detached portion of the 

 thorax, which contains a ganglion (nerve centre) will 

 still thrust out the great hooked claws, grasping and 

 grabbing as greedily as ever ; and this without the 

 head. An insect Mortmain ! I have not tried this 

 experiment, and have no desire to do so. I am 

 content to take Dr. Carpenter's word for the fact. 



The Mantis is worshipped by Hottentots and 

 Bushmen : a strange object of veneration ; but some 

 of the ideals of polite society are stranger still. 



Hornets frequented the Lilac (Syringa) bushes in 

 my garden. Although I wished to find out what they 

 were doing, I hesitated at first to approach near enough. 

 One does not care to take any liberties with Hornets. 

 They went to and from a large Lilac so regularly and 



