IN CAMP. 



of fierce and ruthless power takes its 

 place. 



The method of feeding is not pretty 

 and is certainly rough on the captured. 

 In fact, one's only hope for the latter is 

 that its sufferings are soon over, and the 

 knowledge that the nerves and sensitive 

 masses of insects are not as delicate 

 as our own. Having secured his feast, 

 the mantis sits well back on his hind- 

 legs and proceeds methodically and 

 slowly to tear it to pieces without troub- 

 ling to administer any preliminary coup 

 de grace ; in fact, he will only feed upon 

 a quivering and palpitating mass, and 

 in this differs from many of his con- 

 freres of the mammal class. 



The utter callousness displayed by 

 this insect is of the most cold-blooded 

 order. I have seen a mantis who hap- 

 pened to dine uninvited with me one 

 evening in camp, after satisfying his 

 appetite, seize and maim and throw away 

 insect after insect apparently merely in 

 in 



