. KATYDIDS AND THEIR KIN. 209 



The walking-stick feeds, during its entire life, upon 

 the foliage of various trees, being especially fond of 

 the leaves of the wild cherry. The eggs are dropped 

 upon the ground by the mother insect, who takes no 

 farther notice of them. The young, when hatched, 

 trust to chance and their peculiar shape to escape 

 those higher forms which are ever ready to prey upon 

 every living thing which promises them a bit of sus- 

 tenance. 



MANTID^l. 



Two species of the family Mantidce are found spar- 

 ingly in southern Indiana. Of these the best known 

 is the Carolina mantis, or rear-horse, one of the two 

 or three species of Orthoptera, which 

 are in the s % htest Degree beneficial. 

 It is a rather large insect, of a green- 

 ish or gray color. When disturbed it elevates or 

 rears the fore part of its body almost perpendicularly, 

 fixes its large, staring eyes upon the intruder and 

 turns its head sideways in a very ludicrous manner, 

 so as to follow, if possible, every movement of its sup- 

 posed enemy. If a small object, as a blade of grass, 

 be then thrust towards it, it will strike out vigorously 

 with its saber-like fore feet, or else retreat to what it 

 considers a safe distance. 



Being a rapacious insect, its fore limbs have, in 

 time, become peculiarly adapted for grasping organs. 

 The tibiee are robust and armed with a double row 

 of spines ; the tarsi or feet are short, spiny and curved 

 so as to fit into the under side of the tibiae like the 

 blade of a clasp knife when closed. When in pursuit 

 14 



