A NOVEL PET. 
129 
ever, at the large straight clear wings, and at the way in which 
the powerful forelegs are carried under the thorax, will dispel 
the illusion. In the green mantis this raptorial pair of legs is 
folded up closely under the long thorax, with the lower joints 
outwards ; in my little pet, on the contrary, this pair is folded 
vertically in the form of a triangle with the apex downwards and 
touching the surface on which the insect is resting. The lower 
joints, too, slide past the upper one when these limbs are “ shut- 
ting up ” after use, so that the top joint or one attached to the 
thorax occupies the front place while the insect is at rest. 
Immediately, however, that a fly comes within range, these 
joints, which have been packed away at the back, slide forward 
with great suddenness, and the fly is clutched between the 
femur and tibia, or we might as well say between the shoulder 
and forearm ; these front limbs really are arms to all intents 
and purposes, as they are not used in walking, but for catching 
and holding the prey, and afterwards for cleaning the head and 
antennae. The two joints between which the fly is held are 
armed, as in the mantis, with formidable spines locking into one 
another, so that the prey stands no chance of breaking away 
again ; I have never known even the larger and stronger flies, 
such as the meat flies, to escape after that terrible grip has 
closed upon them. 
My lady does not trouble to stalk her prey to any great 
e.xtent, generally waiting until it comes almost within range, 
and then gingerly advancing a few steps on tiptoe. She often 
strikes while the fly is out of range, and then assumes an air of 
annoyance to see him hurriedly retreat ; this may be due, 
perhaps, to some optical illusion caused by the circular inverted 
glass under which she is confined. She will occasionally make 
a grab at some fly which has settled for a moment on the outside 
of the glass, and will then hurriedly bring her “hands” to her 
mouth, ludicrously like a child sucking its fingers after striking 
them against something hard. The prey is generally grasped 
with one arm first, and held between the spiny joints to prevent 
escape, while the other arm is thrown round at some distance 
from the first, so as to allow plenty of room for the mandibles to 
work. The fly is not devoured entirelj', as is the case vfith the 
mantis, but an incision is made and the contents of the body 
extracted through this, the shell of the carcase being rejected. 
The incision is almost always made at the “ throat,” so to 
speak, or at the base of one of the wings, which is the most 
fatal spot. 
It is amusing to watch the aspect of this little carnivore 
when on the war-path. The antennae, which are short and 
black, are generally in motion, and go alternately, one moving 
forward while the other is going back ; on the approach of a fly, 
however, these sensitive little organs are flung back and pressed 
closely down to the head, and the whole delicate little frame 
assumes an air of indescribable ferocity, reminding one of a 
feline creature about to spring upon its prey. 
