MUSEUM BULLETIN 



Btntm .Mattfl ABsortaltmt of Arts m\h BtmxttB 



EDITED FOR THE PUBLICATION COMMITTEE 



BOTAN1CAI 



BY CHARLES LOUIS POLLARD, CURATOR-IN-CHIEF 



No. 61. Published Monthly at New Brighton, N. Y. AUGUST, 1913 



Plans are now being made for the annual courses of school lectures to 

 be given in the museum, and the curator-in-chief will welcome suggestions 

 from members of the Association as to topics or speakers. 



52 



Fourteen members of the museum troop of Boy Scouts were in camp 

 at Lake Hopateong. N. J., with their scoutmaster, Mr. Pollard, from July 7 

 to 20. Camp Richmond was pleasantly located on Byram's Cove, and the 

 outing was much enjoyed. Several of the boys completed a number of the 

 requirements for first-class scout. 



Mr. Pollard later visited Adirondack Camp on Lake George, where 

 he gave an address on scout ideals before the fifty boys of the camp. He also 

 made an inspection of the State Museum at Albany, and spent a week at 

 Twin Lakes, Conn., securing collections for the museum. 



Recent additions to our exhibit of live stock include two red bats, a pair 

 of mud turtles and a diamondback terrapin, the latter caught on the island. 



Four specimens of the large green mantis Paratenodera sinensis were 

 recently taken in one afternoon in the museum garden. This curious insect 

 is a native of the Orient, and was introduced at Philadelphia a few years 

 ago, probably in nursery stock. Since that time it has been found in eastern 

 New Jersey and on Staten Island. 



The mantis form a distinct family of the order that includes the grass- 

 hoppers, crickets and cockroaches. They are chiefly confined to the tropics, 

 only one native species occurring in the southern United States. They have 

 the forelegs modified to form a pair of powerful clasping limbs, the inner 

 edge armed with sharp teeth, and these weapons are used to capture prey 

 somewhat like the claws of a lobster. The triangular head is set upon a 

 slender stalk and may be turned in all directions. The insect often rears 

 up in a peculiar posture, giving rise to the names "rearhorse" and "praying 

 mantis. ' ' Many of the tropical species are large, and wonderfully adapted in 

 color and form to resemble the foliage and flowers on which they are found. 

 All are carnivorous, and frequently cannibalistic as well. It is probable 

 that they are economically useful insects for this reason. The specimens in 

 the museum have not yet developed wings, and will be kept alive until ma- 

 turity if possible. 



The summer loan exhibit of paintings will be removed early in October 

 at the latest and those who have not seen this interesting collection are ad- 

 vised to visit the museum at the earliest opportunity. Besides its intrinsic 

 merit the exhibit serves as an illustration of what might be accomplished 

 if suitable accommodations could be afforded. Indeed the problem of dispos- 

 ing of our growing exhibits during the two years that remain of the city's 

 lease on the premises is becoming acute. 



Accessions during June and July were received from the following 

 persons: Everett Lins, Frank Watson, Philip Dowell, H. H. Cleaves, Harold 

 «n Decker, Peter B. Decker, Arthur Hollick, E. Chesley Allen and the State of 

 c\? New York. 



-=a: 



Entered as 2d-elass matter in the P.O. at New Brighton, N.T., under Act of Congress, July 16,1904 



