The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-09-26
THE PRAYING MANTIs.
A Warlike Insect Regarded by Many will
SuperstitiOus Awe.


Superstitious Awe.
The mantid@ 1.-TWO specimens of which
have just been added to the insect
house at the Geological Gardens) are
noticeable not only for their structural
peculiarities, but also for the fact that
they are living and walking opponents
of the truth that the world is governed
| by appearances, as from very ancient
times wherever they are found-that is
throughout the warmer regions of the
wOrld-they have been credited with
piety, meekness and all good qualities,
whereas in truth they are the most
bloodthirsty creatures Imaginable. This
extremely mistaken estimate of their
character has arisen from the fact that,
especially as they move slowly about,
the thorax is raised at an angle to the
body. and the large raptorial legs are
carrien extended and raised-thus fam
cifully initiating, or rather caricatur-
Ing, a person whose hands are clasped
in prayer.
| In many parts of the world they are
still regarded with superstitious rever-
ence, and extraordinary stories are told
of them. For example, they are believed
to be able to indicate coming events.
whence their names of ''soOthsayers"
Or prophets, and in the south of Europe
the praying mantis is supposed to direct
into the right way. Another legend is
to the effect that ''St Francis Xavier,
on seeing mantis moving slowly along
with his forelegs raised as if in devo-
ton, desired it to sing the praises of
God, which it Immediately did in very
beautiful canticle." Again, we are told
that among the Hottentots ''the indi-
vidual upon whom one happens to alight
Is supposed to have peculiar degree of
Sanctity impaired to him, and to
be special favorite of Heaven
All this reverence is sorely mis-
placed, the whole of the creatures
life being spent in murder and
rapine; for, being ''ierce, cruel,
gormandizing wretches, so far from in
lulging, as has been fondly supposed,
In state OF religious abstraction, they
are continually seeking what they may
ievour," and the very position which
has given them a reputation for sanctity
is only assumed to enable them the more
readily to seize any unfortunate insect
that may come within their reach; and
they are by no means particular what
that insect may be, as they will with
the greatest readiness seize and devour
Dne of their own species, particularly if
smaller and weaker than themselves.
1t is, therefore, not surprising that
they are most pugnacious, and indulge
in the fercest encounters on the least
possible provocation-or, indeed, with
out any apparent provocation at all
when their maneuverS very much re-
semble those of hussars fighting with
,abers, and sometimes one cleaves the
other through at a single stroke, or
sewers the head from the body. During
these engagements the wings are gen.
orally extended, and when the battle is
over the conqueror devours his antag-
onist The performance is curious and
amusing. the peculiar shape and car
rage of the insects giving them the ap-
pearance of dancing with one another.
In China and the East we are told that
they are fought like game-cocks for
wagers. The following extract from
the work of an American authority says
much for their power of endurance:
''We have seen female decapitated,
and with her body partly eaten slip
away from another that was devouring
her, and for over an hour afterward
fight as tenaciously and with as much
nonchalance as though nothing had
happened" 1t is, perhaps, needless to
say, the character of the mantid@ be-
ing such as it is, that the two speci-
mems at the Zoo are not confined in the
same case, as, were they placed to-
gether, the society would in all proba-
bility. very shortly possess but one
Saturday Review.