1830.] 
Mantis Tribe of Insects . 
285 
i 
of any such peculiarity. The distinction seems to be a very just one, since not only 
in this essential point of external structure do these two differ, but the latter 
would appear to subsist entirely on vegetable food, while the former or Mantis is 
■well known to be one of the most voraciously carnivorous, of the Mantida that ex- 
ists. The specimens now before us, .1 have entitled gong-y lodes, as they appear to 
correspond closely with the description and figure of that species, in the latest 
entomological works ; but I believe the varieties of this singular insect to be very 
numerous all over India: and in the two now presented, there inay be perceived a 
considerable difference in the form of the head, and the length of the wings, as well 
as of the body generally ; which, however, may depend merely on difference of sex. 
This insect, when alive and fresh, presents a striking resemblance to a blade of 
grass, differing in color according to the season ; being green and succulent in the 
rains, and in the dry weather imitating so closely a withered straw, that they can 
with difficulty be distinguished. In Bengal proper, owing to the constancy of the 
verdure, these creatures are generally caught of the former color; hut in the upper 
provinces, when the surface of the country is parched during the hot winds, they 
are found as now described. On first beholding this insect I could hardly be 
convinced that it was not a straw, and part of the same long and dry grass on 
which it rested ; a slight movement of the head, however, like that of the house 
lizard on the wall, when watching its prey, satisfied me that it was a living object • 
and on removing grass and all to my tent for examination, we had, in a short time* 
abundant evidence of its animation; and were both surprised and amused at the 
extraordinary powers the insect developed, clinging close to the upright straw 
which was fixed on the table : the animal lay in wait for its prey with no less 
design than would be exhibited by a cat ora tiger, intent on the same pursuit- 
and if an unlucky fly happened to alight in his neighbourhood, there was hardly 
left to it a chance of escape. If situated at a considerable distance from his 
position, he gradually and cautiously approached, not even stirring the straw on 
which he moved ; and when sufficiently near to be within reach, which the 
creature seemed deliberately to determine by the eye, he projected rapidly his 
anned paw, and with unerring aim, transfixing his victim, securely lodged it in tbe 
toothed hollow of the thigh, destined for its reception. After having the fly in his 
power, no time was lost in devouring it; commencing with the trunk, and in a few 
minutes swallowing the whole body ; the head and wings constituting the finishing 
morsel. s 
In this manner our “ Death and Dart ” Insect (for so we familiarly termed 
this new acquaintance,) would destroy, at a meal, five or six large flies, which, 
in point of bulk, nearly doubled his own body. I afterwards met with many 
others of the same kind, but have never since seen one so voracious, or re- 
markable in every respect. On viewing the structure of the fore limb of this 
insect, it seems impossible to imagine any thing more perfectly contrived for tbe 
end in view. Tbe limb itself, so strong and muscular, provided with a claw at 
its extremity, likewise strong, horny, and sharp as a needle, and the groove in the 
two last joints, with the double row of teeth, or spurs on the margin, correspond- 
ing, and locking closely into each other, like the fangs of the alligator, altogether 
constitute an apparatus for seizing and securing its prey, which in so small a creature 
cannot but excite our admiration. By means of these formidable weapons, the 
insect not only becomes destructive to others, but is employed to attack its own 
species ; and in China, we are told, fighting the Mantis forms as much a favorite 
amusement of boys, who carry them about in cages for the purpose, as cock-fighting 
in England, or among the inhabitants of the Eastern Islands. It is said, that in 
these combats, tbe insect uses bis claw in the manner a hussar does his sabre, and 
with a single stroke not unfrequently cuts off the head of his antagonest; but this 
rather oriental style of description is completely at variance with the structure of the 
weapon ; which, though curved like a scimitar, is provided with no cutting edge ; and 
can only be employed to thrust with, or as a hook or dart in the way above described. 
'Ikese two specimens of Mantis were collected at Midnapore, or in that district. 
The 3rd specimen, formerly termed Mantis siccifulia , but now placed in the Phasmida 
Family, and constituting the genus PhylRumsiccifolium of Latreille, was sent me ve- 
ry lately from Sylhet, by my friend, Mr. Wardlaw, of that station, who merely states 
that it is called the “ Leaf Insect,” and considered a great rarity in that part of the 
country. Its resemblance to the leaf of a tree will at once be recognized by every one, 
and is certainly not less striking than that of the former species to the same object, 
or to a blade of grass, in the state at least in which the insects are now presented. 
By immersion in spirits, the color of the leaf-like portion lias become changed to a 
