264 HOME LIFE ON AN OSTRICH FARM. 



the surface of the ground, is so neatly made that it is 

 quite impossible to detect it when closed. 



The walking-leaf tribe is very largely represented in 

 South Africa ; and besides simulating leaves of many 

 different kinds, the creatures assume numerous other 

 forms, some looking just like pieces of dried stick, 

 others like bits of straw, blades of grass, etc. The plant, 

 or portion of a plant, which they personate so admirably, 

 is always the chosen resting-place on which they sit, 

 motionless and meditative, often defying detection. The 

 praying mantis is worshipped by the Hottentots, who 

 perhaps, like the ancient Greeks and Romans, look on 

 him as a kind of soothsayer or fortune-teller (/mi/-?). 

 But in spite of being the Hottentot god, and of possess- 

 ing such a pious-sounding scientific name as Mantis 

 religiosa, he is a most pugnacious little beast ; and if 

 he has a difficulty to settle with one of his brethren, 

 the pair will fight it out like the Kilkenny cats. 



Not long ago, at a North African picnic, one of these 

 same little creatures caused much amusement by the 

 tact which he displayed in doing just the right thing 

 at the right time, and in the prettiest manner. It was 

 a very hot day, so close and oppressive that we all felt 

 rather languid ; and conversation flagged as we sat at 

 luncheon round the table-cloth spread on the ground 

 in the interior of a large tent. Suddenly, during a 

 long pause, a little mantis appeared on the scene. 

 With a jaunty air, and with all the cool self-possession 

 of a popular performer advancing, confident of success, 

 towards the footlights, he stepped on to the tablecloth, 



