Potts. — On a Native Species of Mantis. 117 



so well with many kinds of leaves, that it is difficult to distinguish the 

 insect when lodged thereon, this kind of protection has probably caused 

 it to be frequently overlooked. We believe it to be affected by atmospheric 

 changes ; when a low temperature prevails it is dull and sluggish ; hence 

 the locality of Clyde has been particularly mentioned, as there a considerable 

 range of temperature is experienced. 



The reproductive habits seem to offer some peculiar features, which 

 removes it from those of many other forms of insect life, these are therefore 

 given in detail as facts of interest. At or near breeding time the male is 

 restless, the female is ready for pairing in about ten days after assuming 

 her perfect form, and usually receives the male without any previous 

 demonstrations of courtship on the part of her mate, further than a some- 

 what close companionship ; sometimes, yet rarely, the male chases and leaps 

 on the female. The time of congress is prolonged and varies in duration, 

 it frequently occupies from two to four hours ; the operation is repeated 

 from day to day ; a pair kept secluded in an ample enclosure were observed 

 to be in congress daily from the 11th of January to the 18th, both days 

 inclusive, again on the 20th, on this date separating at 7 p.m. ; they were 

 again united at 9 p.m., remaining in that state till 1.30 a.m. on the 

 21st. 



During their union, both insects keep the anterior limbs folded, the male 

 having often all his limbs clear of the ground, yet so bent as to enable him 

 to cling securely to the female, or sometimes partly supported by the base 

 and part of the outer edge of a portion of one of the wings. The wings of 

 the female remain closed ; access is sometimes obtained rather sideways, in 

 which case the wings are partly thrust aside. During the operation, in 

 the female a series of brown-coloured stigmata are freely displayed and 

 become apparently inflated or depressed as the female raises or depresses 

 part of her body. 



After the abdomen of the female becomes distended, for some days she 

 appears dull and drowsy, with appetite less keen ; when about ten days 

 have elapsed, she makes that curious egg-mass, from which the young in 

 due course come forth. The formation of the egg-mass is a very interesting 

 sight, all her limbs are employed in sustaining her during the proceeding ; 

 a quick lateral motion of the lower part of the body accompanies the deposit 

 of the bright glittering material which, as it dries, sticks fast to the article 

 on which it is placed. When first extruded, the matter shines or glistens 

 like very minute bright bubbles or granules ; it is smoothed and shaped by 

 the distended orifice, whilst the ovipositors are trained over the centre of the 

 top of the mass. The egg-masses measure from \ inch to more than 1 inch 

 in length, formed of a series of inclined horny cells, with a sloping 



