The Mantis: her Hatching 



swaying is accompanied by an increase of 

 the swelling in the head. At last the pro- 

 thorax arches and the head is bent 

 low towards the chest. The tunic bursts 

 across the prothorax. The little animal tugs, 

 wriggles, sways, bends and straightens itself 

 again. The legs are drawn from their 

 sheaths; the antennae, two long parallel 

 threads, are likewise released. The creature 

 is now fastened to the nest only by a worn- 

 out cord. A few shakes complete the de- 

 liverance. 



We here have the insect in its genuine 

 larval form. All that remains behind is a 

 sort of irregular cord, a shapeless clout 

 which the least breath blows about like a 

 flimsy bit of fluff. It is the exit-tunic vio- 

 lently shed and reduced to a mere rag. 



For all my watchfulness, I missed the mo- 

 ment of hatching in the case of the Grey 

 Mantis. The little that I know is reduced to 

 this : at the end of the spur or promontory 

 with which the nest finishes in front is a small, 

 dull-white speck, formed of very powdery 

 foam. This round pore is only just plugged 

 with a frothy stopper and constitutes the sole 

 outlet from the nest, which is thoroughly 

 strengthened at every other part. It takes 



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