194 INDIRECT BENEFITS DERIVED FROM INSECTS. 



how useful ihey must be in preventing too great a multiplication of the 

 other species of the class to which they belong. 



Lastly, under this head, not to dwell upon some other apterous genera, 

 devourers of insects, as the scorpion and centipede, Phalangium, Galeodes, 

 must be enumerated the whole world of Spiders, extremely numerous both 

 in species and individuals, which subsist entirely upon insects, spreading 

 with infinite art and skill their nets and webs to arrest the flight of the 

 heedless and unwary summer tribes that fill the air, which are hourly 

 caught by thousands in their toils; one of them (Thcridium IS-guttatum 

 Rossi), we are told, even attacking the redoubted Scorpion.^ 



So much for the insect benefactors to whom it is given in charge to keep 

 the animals of their own class within their proper limits ; and I cannot 

 doubt that you will recognize the goodness of the Great Parent in provid- 

 ing such an army of counter-checks to the natural tendency of almost all 

 insects to incalculable increase. But before I quit this subject I must call 

 your attention to what may be denominated cannibalin sects, since, in spite 

 of those declaimers who would persuade us that man is the only animal 

 that preys upon his own species^, a large number of insects are guilty of 

 the same offence. Reaumur tells us, that having put into a glass vessel 

 twenty caterpillars of the same species, which he was careful to supply 

 with their appropriate food, they nevertheless devoured each other until 

 one only survived^ ; and De Geer relates several similar instances.^ The 

 younger larvae of Calosoma Sycophanta often take advantage of the help- 

 less inactivity into which the gluttony of their maturer comrades has thrown 

 them, and from mere wantonness, it should seem, when in no need of 

 other food, pierce and devour them. A ferocity not less savage exists 

 amongst the Mantes. These insects have their fore-legs of a construction 

 not unlike that of a sabre ; and they can as dexterously cleave their an- 

 tagonist in two, or cut off his head at a stroke, as the most expert hussar. 

 In this way they often treat each other, even the sexes fighting with the 

 most savage animosity. R5sel endeavored to rear several specimens of 

 M. Religiosa, but ahvays failed, the stronger constantly devouring the 

 weaker.'^ This ferocious propensity the Chinese children have, according 

 to Mr. Barrow, employed as a source of barbarous amusement, selling to 

 their comrades bamboo cages containing each a Mantis, which are put 

 together to fight. You will think it singular that both in Europe and 

 Africa these cruel insects have obtained a character for gentleness of dis- 

 position, and even sanctity. This has arisen from the upright or sitting 

 position, with the fore legs bent, assumed in watching for their prey, which 

 the vulgar have supposed to be a praying posture, and hence adopted the 

 belief that a child or traveler that had lost his road would be guided by 

 taking one of these pious insects in his hand, and observing what way it 



' Thiebaut de Berneaud's Voyage to Elba, p. 31. 

 2 " Even Tiger fell and sullen Bear 



Their likeness and their lineage spare. 

 Man only mars kind Nature's plan, 

 And turns the fierce pursuit on Man ! " 



Scott's Rokeby. canto iii. 1. 

 ' Reauraer, ii. 413. This habit is well known to our practical Lepidopterists, who have 

 giv'eri the name of the Monster Caterpillar to one of these cannibal species ; a memoir upon 

 which by Mr. Thrupp was lately read before the Entomological Society. 



* De beer, i. 533. iii. 361. v. 400. vi. 91. * » Rosel, iv. 96. 



