The Mantis: her Nest 



which the young emerge at hatching-time. 

 In a recently-abandoned nest, this middle 

 zone is furry with gossamer skins, discarded 

 by the larvae. These cast skins flutter at the 

 least breath and soon vanish when exposed 

 to rough weather. I will call it the exit- 

 zone, because it is only along this median 

 belt that the liberation of the young takes 

 place, thanks to the outlets contrived before- 

 hand. 



In every other part the cradle of the 

 numerous family presents an impenetrable 

 wall. The two side zones, in fact, which 

 occupy the greater part of the semiellipsoid, 

 have perfect continuity of surface. The 

 little Mantes, so feeble at the start, could 

 never make their way out through so tough 

 a substance. All that we see on it is a num- 

 ber of fine, transversal furrows, marking the 

 various layers of which the mass of eggs 

 consists. 



Cut the nest across. It will now be per- 

 ceived that the eggs, taken together, form an 

 elongated kernel, very hard and firm and 

 coated on the sides with a thick, porous rind, 

 like solidified foam. Above are curved 

 plates, set very closely and almost inde- 

 pendent of one another; their edges end in 



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