CARNIVOROUS INSECTS 117 



highly predaceous, feeding upon flies and other Hving insects, 

 while some of the larger kinds are also said to attack small 

 vertebrates. Most of the numerous species inhabit the hotter 

 parts of the globe, throughout which they have a wide distri- 

 bution ; several are found in the Mediterranean countries of 

 Europe, and one ranges as far north as Central France. The 

 most remarkable feature in the structure of these insects is found 

 in the first pair of legs, which are used for the purpose of catching 

 and holding the prey. A similar arrangement has already been 

 described for some of the Neuroptera (p. 114), and it essentially 

 consists in a shifting forward of the front legs, which are extremely 

 powerful, and so constructed that the end part can be folded back 

 on to the middle section. As both these regions are provided 

 with strong spines an efficient 

 gripping organ is the result. 

 The common European form, 

 known as the Praying Mantis 

 {^Mantis religiosa) (fig. 389), is 

 a comparatively simple example 

 of this remarkable group. In 

 colour green or brown, it har- 

 monizes with the surround- 

 ings, and is thus rendered ^- „ „ • ., ■ ,,^ • 



^ ^ ^ Fig. 389. — Praying Mantis {Mantis rehgiosd) 



inconspicuous to its prey (ag- 

 gressive general coloration), an end which is enhanced by its 

 patient waiting attitude with the fore -legs stretched out as 

 if in prayer, a position which has given rise to the popular 

 names and originated many superstitions. Dr. Sharp says (in 

 the Cambridge Natural History): — "Some of the older writers 

 went so far as to say that a Mantis would indicate the road a 

 child should take by stretching out one of its arms in the right 

 direction ". Speaking of the group generally the same authority 

 adds: — "This appearance of innocence and quietness must have 

 struck all who have seen these insects alive; nevertheless, it is 

 of the most deceptive character, for the creature's activity consists 

 of a series of wholesale massacres carried on day after day, the 

 number of victims it sacrifices being enormous. The Mantis 

 does not even spare its own kind; it is well known that the 

 female not infrequently devours its own mate." To do justice 

 to the habits of these interesting insects far more space would 



