56 MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS. 



him the right way, and seldom or never misses. As she 

 resembleth these diviners in the elevation of her hands, so 

 also, in likeness of motion, for they do not sport themselves 

 as others do, nor leap, nor play, but walking softly, she 

 returns again modestly, and shows forth a kind of mature 

 gravity." This is only the position of the mantis that it 

 takes to catch its prey. 



151. The praying position and soft modesty of this 

 insect, which charity and superstition thus metamorphosed 

 into kindness and virtue, by a more attentive examination 

 of its habits, prove to be nothing more than cunning de- 

 vices to secure its prey, being one of the most cruel and 

 voracious of all the insect tribe. The patience of the 

 mantis, says Bingley, in waiting for its prey, is remarka- 

 ble, and the posture to which superstition has attributed 

 devotion, is no other than the means used to catch it. 

 When it has fixed its eye on an insect, it rarely loses 

 sight of it, though it may cost some hours to accomplish 

 its destruction. If it see an insect a little beyond its 

 reach, over its head, it slowly erects its long thorax, then 

 resting on the posterior legs, it gradually raises the ante- 

 rior also. If this brings it near enough to the insect, it 

 throws open the last joint of its fore-paws, and snaps 

 the object between the spines that are set in rows on the 

 second joint. If it is unsuccessful, the paws are not re- 

 tracted, but still held forth waiting for the victim to 

 come again within its reach. Should the insect go far 

 from the spot, the mantis flies, or crawls after it, slowly, 

 like a cat. 



152. Observations of Roesel. Roesel, the naturalist, 

 desiring to study the character and habits of this curious 

 creature, put some of the eggs into a glass case until 

 they hatched. The young ones immediately displayed 

 the most savage disposition toward each other, but 

 Roesel supplying them with flies, which they tore in 

 pieces and devoured' with avidity, he in this way saved 

 some of his brood for a time. But notwithstanding he 

 supplied them well with insects, they continued to de- 

 vou: each other apparently through wantonness. Des- 

 pairing at last of rearing any of them to the winged 

 state, he separated them into small companies, under 



