CHAPTER II. 



THE DEVIL'S RIDING-HORSE 



continued. 



FIG. 6. Egg-capsules of Mantidse. 



Egg- lay ing and the Egg-capsules. 



IN Europe the egg-laying of the mantidse occurs 

 in September. Among the kinds observed, the insect 

 discharges at the same time as the eggs, a mass of viscous 

 or gummy matter, which she affixes to the stems of 

 bushes or on stones, and, as it dries in the air, it assumes 

 the form of a fair-sized spherical or oval capsule or case, 



