208 THE PRA YING MANTIS. 



were draining a little beaker. I need hardly say 

 that the meal-worm was mercifully killed first, 

 else I could not have watched it being thus 

 demolished. 



The mantis seems to have remarkably keen 

 sight and to be very watchful, for if I tried to 

 touch anything in his globe he would face round 

 instantly and stand on the defensive. If a twig 

 was held near him he would throw out his long 

 fore-legs and fight with the intruding thing, 

 showing a dauntless spirit and very irascible 

 temper. 



I was most anxious to keep my curious pet 

 alive ; and, fearing I might not treat it rightly 

 in all respects, I wrote to Mr. Bartlett at the 

 Zoological Gardens, asking his advice about food 

 and general treatment. He replied with his usual 

 courtesy, but I was sorry to learn that, even under 

 his experienced treatment, mantises never live 

 through an English winter. 



It is sad to record that Simeon grew less and 

 less inclined to eat. In spite of all possible care 

 he became inert and helpless, and died at the end 

 of a week. 



