Marvels of the Universe 



157 



prey is abundant, however, it more often happens that fresh victims are continuallj' captured and 

 partly eaten, as if it enjoyed the sheer love of killing. 



Such are the feeding habits of this ^Mantis of saintly mien. Even the Greeks endowed it with 

 supernatural powers. In Nubia, the Hottentots regard a Mantis with the greatest reverence, and 

 should one alight on an individual he is recognized as selected of heaven, and at once becomes a 

 saint ; but woe unto the native that kills a Mantis ; he becomes no longer a skilled hunter, but is 

 ill-fated until the end of his days. Turks and Arabs contend that these insects are in constant 

 prayer, with their faces ever turned towards Mecca. France, Portugal, America and many other 

 countries provide similar superstitions, all of which have doubtless arisen from the quiet 

 demeanour and devout attitude which have served to disguise the highly predaceous character 

 of these insects. 



It is interesting to note that the Chinese have better realized their true character. 1 am 

 informed that they are there kept in bamboo cages and matched like fighting cocks. Such a thing 

 is quite possible, for should two female insects meet, a fight is tolerably certaii;:. By means of their 

 powerful fore-legs they are able to strike tremendous blows, and with these weapons they engage 

 in combat, the result often being that the weaker of the combatants gets one or more of its limbs 

 severed b}" one successful stroke of the enemy, or even his body may be cut through. 



The male Mantis has a difficult task on hand when wooing his mate. She is both larger and 

 stronger than he is. and should his advances not prove favourable, he rarely has the option of retreating ; 

 for while she will not accept him as her lover, yet she takes care that he does not become the husband 

 of another of her species — her refusal takes the form of killing and eating him. Cannibalism is 



TTuto iu'j 



THE MANTIS. 



The female Mantis destroying Ker unfortunate wooer. Wooing is a hazardous affair amongst the Mantids. fo 

 of a proposal means instant annihilation of the "proposer." 



IJ'nNi 11. r,il,, 

 the rejection 



