114 Transactions. — Zoology. 



Art. III. — Notes on a Native Species of Mantis. By T. H. Potts. With 

 a descriptive Note by Professor Hutton. 

 [Read before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, 7th January, 1883.] 

 This insect has been observed in several localities during the last three 

 years. It appears to be widely distributed in this islaud. We first heard 

 of it as having been taken in a garden at Eiccarton, a short distance from 

 Christchurch. Soon afterwards, through the kindness of Mr. Nalder, speci- 

 mens were obtained at Akaroa. It has been found at Amberley, forty miles 

 north of Christchurch. Walter Potts, in the month of April last, discovered 

 it on some flowers in a garden so far south as Clyde, which lies inland in 

 the Otago Lake District, and plentifully in and about Cromwell. 



The young emerge in the spring months in numbers ; from a single egg- 

 case perhaps as many as twenty or more may appear. We have known 

 them make their way out early in September, at intervals throughout that 

 month and part of the next till the 24th October. At first they are of a 

 pale pea-green or pale green on the limbs and under-parts, above brown or 

 purplish-black, with the eyes very prominent, and a bluish spot on the an- 

 terior limbs. The bright green larvae sometimes appear crowded together 

 when forcing their way through the lids of the egg-cases. At this time 

 they measure some 5 or 6 lines in length. As soon as they have quitted 

 their prison-homes they exhibit great activity in their movements, swiftly 

 coursing hither and thither ; perhaps at no other period of their existence do 

 they display so much restlessness. 



The body is usually so carried that the lower part of the abdomen just 

 clears the ground ; only the two lower pairs of limbs are generally required 

 for locomotion, the anterior pair are kept folded. It may be noticed that the 

 posterior pair of limbs are most robust, and longer than the middle pair. 

 The insect in its larval state not only runs with great swiftness, but it can 

 leap several inches at a bound, a feat that is rarely performed. In running 

 the body is kept nearly upright. At the same time that we note the energy 

 of its movements, it must not be omitted that there are seasons in which it 

 displays an almost inexhaustible power of " masterly inactivity." These 

 times of quiet, when it remains so long motionless, or nearly so, may be a 

 part of its tactics for securing the presence of victims within reach of its 

 fatal arms. The most difficult feat it is seen to perform is the recovery of 

 its proper position when lying on its back on a plane surface, often for a 

 long time it kicks and struggles in a very helpless manner. The feet are 

 adapted for travelling over a polished surface, such as glass presents ; the 

 figure can be easily depressed so as to appear nearly flat. The anterior 

 limbs, only occasionally used as legs, are kept carefully cleaned, particular 

 attention is paid to the blade-like teeth with which these limbs are armed. 



