PHASMAS, MANTIDS. 19 



P. pulchrifolium they are quite different. Some examples of the Table- 

 eggs are exhibited (1092, 1094), and enlarged drawings of several case 32> 

 are shown in the table cover. As if to complete the resemblance to 

 seeds many of them have a mark on one side resembling the point of 

 attachment, " liilum" of beans, etc. When the young insect comes 

 out of the egg, the top is pushed off like a lid. 



The Phasmidce are vegetable feeders, living on grasses, shrubs 

 and trees, where their curious forms enable them to rest concealed. 



Family MANTIDS. 



In the second half of table-case No. 32 are a few examples of 

 Mantids. They are carnivorous, feeding chiefly on other insects. 

 They are found in Southern Europe and are common in tropical 

 countries. The European "Praying Mantis" (fig. 16, 1128), derives 

 its name from the habit (common to all the species) of standing on 

 its four hind legs, with the front pair held up and close together. In 

 this attitude they remain until some fly or other insect comes within 

 reach, when the front legs are darted out with lightning rapidity and 



trochanter 



,- tarsus 



Leg of a Mantis. 



the fly is caught between the spines on the tibiae and femora. This 

 curious structure of the front legs (fig. 18) is the chief character of 

 this family. It will be noted that the front coxae are very long, 

 which enables the leg to be thrown forwards. There is a row of 

 spines on the under side of the tibia, and these when the tibia is 

 folded against the femur fit between the spines on the latter, the 

 terminal curved spur resting in a groove on the inner side of the 

 femur. 



The colours and curious forms of many of the species are well 



c 2 



