146 BLATTID^E. MANTID^, OR MANTIS TRIBE. 



of this capsule is divided into two spaces, in each of which is a 

 row of separate chambers, every one of them enclosing an egg. 

 The capsules are attached by means of a glutinous secretion, in 

 such situations as the females select as most fit for their reception ; 

 and the slit part is strongly coated with cement, so as to be even 

 stronger than the other parts. In this capsule, the young larvae 

 are hatched ; and they immediately discharge a fluid, which 

 softens the cement, and enables them to push open the slit ; 

 through this they escape, and the slit then shuts again so closely, 

 that it appears as entire as before. 



728. The MANTID.E are purely carnivorous insects, of which 

 none are natives of this country. They differ much from the 

 Blattidae in the form of the body ; which, instead of being 

 flattened and oval, is narrow or compressed, and lengthened. The 

 first pair of legs is enormously elongated, and forms a very 

 powerful organ of attack. These insects frequent trees and 

 plants ; and the forms and colours of their wings and bodies are 



FIG. 465. MANTIS, IN THE ACT OF SEIZING A FLY, WITH A 

 YOUNG ONE JUST HATCHED. 



often so adapted to those of the leaves and twigs which surround 

 them, as to give them remarkable power of eluding observation. 

 Most of the species asume, when lying in wait for their prey, 

 an attitude which has been mistaken by the inhabitants of the 

 countries where they are found, for that of prayer ; and the 





