154 NATURAL HISTORY. [CH. X. 



prey. For this purpose it raises its body, and lift- 

 ing up and joining its two forefeet, it remains for 

 hours motionless, in the attitude of one praying. 

 When the mantis espies a fly, even at a distance, it 

 never takes off its bright green eye from its destined 

 booty. The slightest variation in the movement of 

 the fly is met by a correspondent one of the eye, 

 without moving the head of the mantis. If the fly 

 should not approach sufficiently near, or if, on the 

 contrary, it should betray any signs of removing 

 altogether, the mantis drags its body so cautiously 

 towards its prey as to be almost imperceptible to 

 the observer ; it then stretches itself as near as pos- 

 sible to the fly, without absolutely shifting its 

 place ; and when it has approached sufficiently near, 

 the long claws, hitherto raised and folded up, are 

 thrown upon the victim with the rapidity of light- 

 ning. Rcesel asserts, that the mantis will hook up 

 a fly at the distance of four inches. 



The insect thus caught is held carefully by the 

 mantis, until it mangles and devours its prey, limb 

 by limb. Having finished its repast, the mantis 



