THE PRAYING MANTIS 29 



Great is the contrast between this peaceful-looking body 

 and the murderous machinery of the fore-legs. The haunch 

 is very long and powerful, while the thigh is even longer, and 

 carries on its lower surface two rows of sharp spikes or teeth. 

 Behind these teeth are three spurs. In short, the thigh is a 

 saw with two blades, between which the leg lies when folded 

 back. 



This leg itself is also a double-edged saw, provided with a 

 greater number of teeth than the thigh. It ends in a strong 

 hook with a point as sharp as a needle, and a double blade 

 like a curved pruning-knife. I have many painful memories 

 of this hook. Many a time, when Mantis-hunting, I have 

 been clawed by the insect and forced to ask somebody else 

 to release me. No insect in this part of the world is so trouble- 

 some to handle. The Mantis claws you with her pruning- 

 hooks, pricks you with her spikes, seizes you in her vice, and 

 makes self-defence impossible if you wish to keep your captive 

 alive. 



When at rest, the trap is folded back against the chest 

 and looks quite harmless. There you have the insect pray- 

 ing. But if a victim passes by, the appearance of prayer is 

 quickly dropped. The three long divisions of the trap are 

 suddenly unfolded, and the prey is caught with the sharp 

 hook at the end of them, and drawn back between the two 

 saws. Then the vice closes, and all is over. Locusts, Grass- 

 hoppers, and even stronger insects are helpless against the 

 four rows of teeth. 



It is impossible to make a complete study of the habits 

 of the Mantis in the open fields, so I am obliged to take her 

 indoors. She can live quite happily in a pan filled with sand 

 and covered with a gauze dish-cover, if only she be supplied 

 with plenty of fresh food. In order to find out what can be 

 done by the strength and daring of the Mantis, I provide her 

 not only with Locusts and Grasshoppers, but also with the 

 largest Spiders of the neighbourhood. This is what I see. 



A grey Locust, heedless of danger, walks towards the 



