NOTES ON SOME BORNE AN MANTIBM. 297 



extending along the posterior and proximal borders, and with 

 two small black spots on the anterior border ; the under surface 

 of the prothorax is coal-black, and the wings are black, mottled 

 nearly all over with fine chrome-yellow streaks and dashes. 

 During this " display " the antennae are agitated so rapidly that 

 only an indistinct blur is seen in their place; the fore tibiae 

 snap down on their femora with a clock-like regularity, a con- 

 tinuous rustling sound maintained by the wings, and the insect 

 sways from side to side, now bolt upright, then right over on one 

 side, then with a swing right over on the other side. 



Fig. 2. — Hestiasula sarawaca, Westw. ; beginning to "display :" front of 

 body raised, fore-legs opening out. 



A green and white Theopropus (T. elegans, Westw.) " dis- 

 plays " in much the same manner as Deroplatys shelfordi, but 

 neither the inner side of the fore limbs nor the wings are con- 

 spicuously coloured. 



What is the meaning of these " displays" ? It should in the 

 first place be remembered that they can be induced by irritating 

 the Mantis, as well as by the presence of prey. None of the 

 species described above look in the least degree flower-like when 



Zool 4th ser. vol. VII., August, 1903. 2 a 



