156 



Marvels of the Universe 



Pholo !.o] 



[J'niiUJ. Fahre. 



THE MANTIS LEAVING HER EGG-CASE. 



This egg-capsule is deposited by the Mantis on the branch or twig of a tree. From it the young emerge, swinging by a delicate 

 thread, after the fashion of spiders, till they reach another destination. 



THE PRAYING MANTIS AND ITS RELATIVES 



BY JOHN J. WARD, F.E.S. 



It would be difficult to find a more saintly-looking insect than the Praying Mantis. For hours 

 together it will assume an attitude of innocence and quietness, its fore-legs raised as if in supplica- 

 tion. Not until an unwary fly approaches it do we realize the object of its quaint posture. It 

 then instantl}? becomes obvious that its purpose is not to pray, but to frey. 



In Britain we have no representatives of its group, its nearest relatives in this country being, 

 on the one hand, cockroaches, and the other, grasshoppers and crickets. The Pra3'ing Mantis is 

 the common European form, and it first begins to appear in Southern France, becoming more 

 abundant further south. In general habits the European species is characteristic of its race ; but 

 its tropical relatives have evolved some extraordinary features. 



In the first place, the Mantis is carnivorous. It requires living prey — flies, grasshoppers, cater- 

 pillars, etc. ; but being slow of foot, it has to capture its quarry by craft. 



The method adopted is to sit amongst the grass or leaves with its head held loftily erect, its 

 thorax being developed into what resembles a long neck, thus extending its field of vision. Its colour 

 may be green or brown, harmonizing with its surroundings so perfectly that it can only be recog- 

 nized with difficulty. In front of its head its fore-legs are raised into what has been regarded as a 

 praying attitude ; hence the names " praying insects " and " soothsayers," which are sometimes 

 used in connection with these insects. It then awaits the approach of a victim, and sometimes will 

 remain motionless for several hours. 



If the Mantis detects prey a little way oft', but not near enough to eftect its capture, it steals 

 slowly and almost imperceptibly towards it. When within striking distance its raptorial fore-legs 

 are thrown suddenly forward, and in an instant the victim is grasped clasp-knife-fashion between 

 the toothed shanks and thighs of these powerful legs, after which it is ravenously devoured. If 



