206 THE PR A Y1NG MANTIS. 



with the greatest ease ; its limbs stretched them- 

 selves out at every conceivable angle, as if simula- 

 ting the twigs on a tree-branch. Grotesque and 

 weird are the terms one would use in describing 

 this insect ; it seems a freak of nature, and quite 

 fascinates one by the oddity of its appearance. 



I read that the Chinese keep these insects in 

 bamboo-cages, and take advantage of their quarrel- 

 some disposition by making them fight for their 

 captors' amusement. Mantises are so pugnacious 

 that they will continue the conflict, hewing at each 

 other like hussars fighting with sabres, until one 

 or other of the combatants is killed. Those who 

 have watched these engagements say that the 

 wings are generally expanded during the fight, 

 and when it is ended the conqueror devours his 

 antagonist. 



Although we see that the mantis has no right 

 to its character for sanctity, I thought my specimen 

 ought to have an appropriate name, so he became 

 known in the family circle as Simeon Stylites ! 

 The chief difficulty was how to keep him warm 

 enough through wintry days and nights ; this end 

 was, however, attained by keeping a night-light 



