130 The Pray ing -Mantis. 



become an easy prey, but in the combats which the 

 Mantidse carry on with each other, for a dexterous 

 application of it decapitates an opponent as ex- 

 peditiously as could be done by a guillotine." 

 These powerful raptorial legs are attached to the 

 extremity of the prothorax, which is very long and 

 capable of being raised nearly at a right angle to 

 the body, which gives them much the appearance 

 of arms. The other two pairs of legs are slender 

 and are used entirely for walking, and in the genus 

 Empusa, as may be seen in the specimens in the 

 Zoo, the thighs are ornamented at the ends with 

 curious little leaf -like expansions. 



In all the Mantidae the head, which is triangular, 

 is attached vertically to the thorax by a distinct 

 neck in Empusa it is decorated by a long horn- 

 like projection of the forehead and is furnished 

 with large oval eyes, and the curious manner in 

 which the creatures turn their heads in all directions 

 intently watching the movements of anything near 

 them is most striking. 



The Mantidge are noticeable, not only for their 

 structural peculiarities, but also for the fact that 

 they are living and walking exponents of the truth 

 that the world is governed by appearances, as from 

 very ancient times wherever they are found that 

 is, throughout the warmer regions of the world 

 they have been credited with piety, meekness, and 

 all good qualities, whereas in truth they are the 

 most bloodthirsty creatures imaginable. This 

 extremely mistaken estimate of their character has 



