192 MANTID^E 



they attack everything that comes in their way that can pos- 

 sibly be consumed ; nothing comes amiss to them, and the amount 

 of destruction they cause is very considerable. The larvae, when 

 first born, and immediately after each moult, are of a sickly white 

 colour, and resemble their parents in general appearance, except 

 that the wings are undeveloped. 



The Mantidse, or Praying Insects, are a large and interesting 

 family of Orthoptera, showing great variety in the shape and 

 general outline of the body, and characterised by the remarkable 

 development of the front pair of legs into formidable seizing organs 

 for the capture of the living insects upon which the Mantidae feed. 

 Entirely carnivorous in habit, the Mantis does not actively pursue 

 its prey, but either waits patiently Until some unsuspecting victim 

 comes within reach, or slowly and cautiously stalks it. The curious 

 attitude assumed, with the front part of the body (the pro- 

 thorax) raised, and the front pair of legs held as if in a devotional 

 attitude, has gained for these remarkable insects their popular 

 names of " Praying Insects," or " Soothsayers," and there are 

 many curious legends attached to them. From very ancient times 

 it has been believed that these insects would indicate by the ges- 

 tures of their fore-limbs the right paths that lost travellers should 

 take ; while an old legend tells how St. Francis Xavier, on see- 

 ing a Mantis moving slowly along with its fore-legs raised in a 

 devotional manner, exhorted the insect to sing the praises of God, 

 and that it immediately sang a very beautiful canticle. Unfor- 

 tunately, there is no foundation for these charming ideas ; for the 

 Mantis, walking solemnly in a devotional attitude, is really a 

 cruel and voracious impostor in search of prey, and the raised fore- 

 limbs are merely extended in readiness to seize, like a pair of 

 toothed shears, any victim that comes within striking distance. 

 The power of these front limbs is very great, so that the cap- 

 tured prey is held as in a vice, and they are also used for fighting, 

 when a successful stroke, like the sweep of a scythe, will sweep off 

 an adversary's head or legs. These insects are almost entirely 

 inhabitants of the warmer regions of the World, only a few being 

 found in Southern Europe. 



The majority of the Leaf and Stick Insects (Phasmida) are most 

 bizarre in their appearance, looking like withered leaves and twigs, 

 or green growing leaves and mossy sticks. They are easily dis- 





